E 

311 
L3 


UC-NRLF 


00 

CNJ 

TT 

04 


Q 
>- 


4^0 


I789\ 

I  THE  1 

WASHINGTON 
INAUGURATION 


(ILLUSTRATED) 

BY 

MRS.  MARTHA  J.|  LAMB 

NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON: 
WHITE  AND  ALLEN 


l» 
MANUFACTURERS  OF  GRAND,  UPRIGHT  AND  SQUARE 


WAREROOMS: 

NEW  YORK: 

No.  112  FIFTH  AVENUE, 

BALTIMORE.  «— «»«™ «-.        WASHINGTON: 

No«.  22  &  24  E.  BALTIMORE  ST.,  No.  817  PENNSYLVANIA  AVENUE, 

8ETWEEK  CHARtES  A  »T.    PAUL. 

These  Instruments, 

more  than  Fifty  Years  before  the  Public,  have,  by  their 
excellence,  attained  an  unpurchased  pre-eminence,  which  establishes  them 

the  "innaQT7AI,IiBDM  in 
TONE.  TOUCH,  WORKMANSHIP  AND  DURABILITY. 


WILHELM  &  GRAEF, 

Broadway  and  26th  Street, 
IMPORTERS  OF  CHJJVJA,  GL^.AND  EARTHENWARE. 

Fine  Table  plgg§  *§.ets^.$Q  piejce^  from  $3.50. 

Fine  New  Engrdv^cE;Gfas^  Sets,:  6a -pieces,  from  $9.00. 

Complete  Decorated  Dinner  Sets,  from  $15.00. 

6.  DORFL1NGER  &  SONS'  RICH  GUT  GLASS. 

TOILET  SETS  AND  JARS— At  Low  Prices. 

LAMPS— Newest  Variety  at  Deduced  Prices. 


Worcester,  Derby,  MInton,  Dresden,  Berlin,  French  Fancy  Goods,  eta, 


BRO/tDWAY  AND  26th  STREET. 


ESTABLISHED  1875. 


ESTABLISHED  1875. 


YORK. 

No.  3  East  Fourteenth  Street, 

NEAR  FIFTH  AVENUE. 


Absolutely 

Fire 
and 

Burglar 

Proof 

Vaults, 


Bonds,  Papers,  Plate,  Bronzes,  Paintings,  Trunks,  and  Articles 
of  Value,  received  for  Safe  Keeping. 


The  Offices  of  this  Company  and  the  Fourteenth  Street  Bank  are  connecting. 


issi. 


THE 


BERKSHIRE  LIFE 

INSURANCE  CO., 

PITTSFIKLD,   MASSACHUSETTS. 


WILLIAM   R.  PLUNKETT,  President. 

JAMES  M.  BARKER,  Vice-President. 

JAMES  W.  HULL,  Sec'y  and  Treasurer. 


The  definite  surrender  values  in   cash,  or  paid-up  insurance, 
guaranteed  by  the  MASSACHUSETTS  NQX- FORFEITURE  LAW,  in 

accordance  with  which  all  policies  of  the  BERKSHIRE  are  issued;  the 
solid  financial  condition  of  the  Company;  its  large  surplus;  its  hand 
some  dividends  to  policy-holders;  its  liberal  policies;  its  promptness 
in  paying  all  legitimate  claims,  and  its  excellent  reputation,  make 
the  BERKSHIRE  a  most  desirable  Company  for  the  policyholder. 


New  York  and  New  Jersey  State  Agency, 

271  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK. 

GEO.  W.  ENGLISH,  Manager. 


DON'T  USE  SOAP! 


Washes  Everything 

QUICKER; 
_„_        EASIER, 
*  BETTER 

Than  Soap  or  any  other  Preparation. 


SCHAUS'S  ART  GALLERY, 

204  Fifth  Avenue,  Madison  Square. 


The  attention  of  lovers  of  High  Art  is  invited  to  our  representative  collection  of 

OIL  PAINTINGS 

by  Modern  European  Artists  of  the  First  Order. 


\VATKR   COLOR   DRA\VINOS 


FROM   NOTABLE  STUDIOS. 
A  Large  Assortment  of  the  Best  Remarque  and  Artists'  Proof 

=  KTCHITs[aS  AND 


INCLUDING  THE  LATEST  PARIS  AND  LONDON  PUBLICATIONS. 


ARTISTS'  BOXES 

IN  GREAT  VARIETY  FOR  PAINTING  IN  OIL,  WATER  COLOR  AND  PASTEL. 

ESTABLISHED  HALF  A  CENTURY. 


MISS'S 


THAT  WlLL  WELL  REPAY 

INVESTIGATION 

BY  T(tOSE:WHOE  TQ  SEGljRe 

THE  BEST  SAFE 

MARVIN  SAFE  CO. 

NEW  YORK,       PHILADELPHIA, 
LONDON. ENGLAND. 


PROGRAM  OF  CELEBRATION. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  29,  1889. 


President  Benjamin  Harrison  on  his  arrival  in  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  in 
the  forenoon,  will  be  met  at  the  station  by  distinguished  gentlemen  and  a 
military  escort,  and  conducted  through  Broad  and  West  Jersey  streets  to  the 
residence  of  Governor  Greene,  where  breakfast  will  be  served.  The  proces 
sion — civic,  military,  old-time  agriculturist,  firemen,  state  and  city  officials- 
will  then  proceed  to  conduct  the  President  to  Elizabethport,  the  route  being 
as  follows :  through  Cherry  street  to  Rahway  avenue  (which  was  the  old  road 
over  which  Washington  came),  thence  to  Broad  street,  past  the  corner  where 
the  old  tavern  of  1789  stood,  down  Broad  street,  passing  the  old  First  Pres 
byterian  Church  where  Parson  Caldwell  preached,  to  East  Jersey  street, 
thence  past  the  old  Boudinot  House,  where  Washington  lunched  in  April,  1789, 
to  Spring  street,  and  thence  to  Elizabeth  avenue,  formerly  the  old  country 
road  to  Elizabethport,  and  thus  to  the  wharf,  where  he  will  embark  for 
New  York. 

THE  NAVAL  PARADE. 

At  Elizabethport,  on  Monday,  April  29,  1889,  President  Harrison  and  his 
distinguished  party,  including  the  cabinet  officers,  will  be  welcomed  by  the 
New  York  Navy  Committee  with  its  chairman,  Asa  Bird  Gardiner,  at  the  head, 
and  under  its  direction  embark  on  the  United  States  steamer  Dispatch.  The 
governors,  commissioners  of  states,  guests  invited  by  the  Committee  on  States, 
and  members  of  the  Centennial  Committee  will  follow  the  Dispatch  in  the 
steamers  Erastus  Winian,  Sirius  and  others.  The  line  of  United  States  ships 


" 


CELLULOID" 
Novelties  *  and.  *  Karicy  *  Goods. 

"/^ELLULOID"  is  now  extensively  used  in  the   manufacture  of  all  the  leading  styles  of  staple 
^•^      and  fancy  wares,  and  reproduces   the   peculiarities   of  color  and  finish  of  the   finest  Ivory, 
Amber  and  Tortoise  shell.      Made  in  elegant  and  artistic  shapes  it  rivals  the  genuine  articles,  and 
in  varied  and  brilliant  colors  it  is  unsurpassed. 

The  following  comprise  some  of  the  articles  made,  and  for  which  there  is  an  ever  increasing  demand  : 

MANICURE  SETS  in  great  variety  of  design.     , 

PEN  HOLDERS.  PAPER   KNIVES.  WHIST   MARKERS. 

CORK   SCREWS.  BABY    RATTLES.  HAIR    PINS. 

UMBRELLA  and   PARASOL    HANDLES,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 


"CELLULOID"  COLLARS  AND  CUFFS. 

WATER-PROOF   WATER-PROOF.   WATER-PROOF. 

These  are  the  only  water-proof  collars  and   cuffs  made  with  an  interlining,  and  are  warranted 
to  give  satisfaction  to  the  wearer. 

It  is  in  reality  a  linen  collar  covered  on  both  sides  with  water-proof  "Celluloid." 


CONSUMERS  ARE  CAUTIONED  AGAINST  ALL  IMITATIONS. 
PURCHASE  ONLY  GENUINE  CELLULOID. 


EVERY  COLLAR  AND   CUFF  STAMPED   WITH    OUR    TRADE   MARK. 

TRADE 


MARK. 

CELLULOID    NOVELTY    COMPANY, 

SOLE  MANUFACTURERS, 

Nos.  313  and  315  Broadway,   New  York. 


Program  of  Celebration — continued. 

of  war,  yachts  and  steamboats  will  be  formed  in  the  Upper  Bay,  right  resting 
near  the  "  Kills,"  and  each  vessel,  after  saluting,  will  follow  the  Presidential 
steamers  carrying  the  Presidential  party  and  invited  guests.  It  is  expected 
that  this  Naval  Parade  will  occupy  about  two  hours,  and  that  the  Bay  will 
present  a  more  splendid  and  attractive  appearance  than  it  ever  has  before  in  its 
long  and  picturesque  history,  x 

On  arriving  in  the  East  River,  opposite  Wall  Street  ferry-slip,  a  barge 
manned  by  a  crew  of  ship  masters  from  the  Marine  Society  of  the  Port  of 
New  York,  with  Captain  Ambrose  Snow  of  the  Society,  as  coxswain,  will  row 
the  President  to  the  ferry  stairs.  The  crew  of  the  barge  that  rowed  President 
Washington  from  Elizabethport  to  the  foot  of  Wall  Street  one  hundred  years 
ago  were  members  of  the  same  Society. 

At  the  foot  of  Wall  Street,  President  Harrison  will  be  received  by  the 
Committee  on  States,  its  chairman,  William  G.  Hamilton,  the  grandson  of 
Alexander  Hamilton,  at  its  head,  who  will  introduce  the  governor  of  the  state 
and  the  mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
The  ceremony  of  reception  will  be  similar  to  that  of  one  hundred  years  ago, 
when  Washington  was  received  by  Governor  Clinton  and  Mayor  Duane.  The 
President  and  his  suite  will  then  proceed,  under  the  escort  of  United  States 
troops,  the  veteran  corps  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  delegations  from  the  So 
ciety  of  the  Cincinnati,  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution,  the  Loyal  Legion,  and 
Commanders  of  the  Grand  Army  Posts  in  New  York,  up  Wall  Street  to  the 
Equitable  Building,  where,  in  the  elegant  rooms  of  the  Lawyer's  Club,  a  recep 
tion  will  be  given  and  luncheon  served  by  the  Committee,  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States  and  the  Commissioners  from  all  the  States  and  Territories. 

At  four  o'clock,  the  President  will  proceed  to  the  Governor's  Room  in  the 
City  Hall,  where  a  public  reception  will  be  held  from  four  to  six  o'clock. 

In  the  evening  a  ball  is  to  be  given  in  honor  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  other  guests,  in  the  Metropolitan  Opera  House.  This  has  been 
projected  on  such  a  sumptuous  scale  that  a  temporary  supper-room  has  been 
constructed  which  is  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  length,  and  is  said  to  be 
capable  of  accommodating  three  thousand  guests  at  one  time,  and  it  will  be 
elaborately  decorated. 


EXTRA  DRY 

tj^t. 


Branch  House 

42  VeseyStt  N.Y 


S&«Y 


C.  M.  MOSEMAN. 


E.  W.  MOSEMAN. 


MAKERS,  IMPORTERS  AND  EXPORTERS  OF 


ENGLISH  RACING 

AND 

RIDING   SADDLES 

COMPLETE   FOR 

THE  HUNT, 

THE  PARK, 

AND 

THE  CHASE. 


ENGLISH  SNAFFLE. 

PELHAM  AND  WEYMOUTH 

RIDING  BRIDLES, 

BITS, 
BREASTPLATES, 

ETC.,  ETC. 
S — g)   *i    >   " i    p*  ce — 5 


RKADY   KOR   QUICK   DKLIVKRY. 


S— e5" 


/a*  Chambers  St.,  NEW  YORK. 


Program  of  Celebration — continued. 

The  Great  Centennial   Day,  April  3oth. 

SERVICES   IN   THE   CHURCHES. 
LITERARY   EXERCISES   IN   WALL   STREET. 
THE   MILITARY    PARADE. 
ART  EXHIBITION  OF  HISTORIC  RELICS. 
THE   CENTENNIAL   BANQUET. 


On  Tuesday  morning,  April  30,  a  special  service  of  thanksgiving  will  be 
held  at  9  o'clock  in  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  in  Broadway,  which  will  be  attended 
by  President  Harrison  and  other  distinguished  guests.  This  service  will  be 
conducted  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Henry  C.  Potter,  Bishop  of  New  York,  as  the  ser 
vice  on  the  day  of  Washington's  Inauguration  in  1789  was  conducted  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  then  Bishop  of  New  York.  At  the  same  hour 
services  will  be  held  in  the  other  churches  of  the  city,  and  throughout  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  country.  It  will  be  remembered  in  this  connection 
that  at  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  April  30,  1789,  all  the  churches  in  the 
city  of  New  York  were  opened  for  brief  religious  services. 

LITERARY  EXERCISES  IN  WALL  STREET. 

Following  closely  upon  the  religious  ceremonies  at  St.  Paul's  Church,  at 
10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  Literary  Exercises  commemorative  of  Washington's 
Inauguration  will  take  place  on  the  steps  of  the  Sub-Treasury  building  in  Wall 
Street,  the  exact  locality  where  Washington  took  the  oath  on  April  30,  1789. 
These  exercises  will  be  the  most  interesting  and  significant  features  of  the 
entire  celebration.  There  will  be  an  opening  prayer  by  Rev,  Richard  S.  Storrs, 
D.  D.,  L.L.  D.;  a  poem  by  John  Greenleaf  Whittier;  an  oration  by  Hon. 
Chauncey  M.  Depew;  an  address  by  President  Harrison;  and  the  benediction 
by  Most  Reverend  Michael  A.  Corrigan,  Archbishop  of  New  York. 

THE   MILITARY   PARADE. 

The  military  parade  will  be  an  affair  of  great  magnitude.  The  procession 
will  move  north  from  Wall  street  and  Broadway  at  the  close  of  the  literary 
exercises  in  Wall  street.  Its  route  will  be  up  Broadway  to  Waverley  Place,  down 
Waverley  Place  to  Fifth  Avenue,  and  up  Fifth  Avenue  to  Fifty-ninth  street.  It 
will  be  in  motion  about  1 1  o'clock,  A.  M.,  General  Schofield  acting  as  Grand 


•»>• 


ESTABLISHED 


Harness,  Saddles,  Horse  (Slothing 

AND  TURF  GOODS    IN  GENERAL. 

4O  Warren  Street,  New  York. 


FACTORY,  HARTKORD,  CONN. 


\ 


WEDDING 

INVITATIONS 


VISITING  AND 

PROFESSIONAL 

CARDS 


MONOGRAMS 


COATS  OF  ARMS 


STONE  SEALS 


CRESTS,  ETC. 


ESTABLISHED   1848. 


BUSINESS 
Announcements 


CHECKS 


DRAFTS 


LETTER  HEADS 


COLLEGE 

DIPLOMAS 


SEAL  PRESSES 


ETC. 


\ 


IN  STORE  OF  MERIDEN  BRITANNIA  CO. 
at  2O5   Broadway,  cor.  Rulton  Street. 


Program  of  Celebration — continued. 

Marshal.  The  principal  features  of  this  pageant  will  be  the  cadets  from  the 
Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  and  from  the  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis; 
troops  from  the  Regular  Army;  and  the  governor  of  each  state  in  the  Union 
at  the  head  of  the  militia  of  his  state,  Delaware  leading  off,  and  the  other 
states  following  in  the  order  of  time  in  which  they  adopted  the  Constitution, 
or  were  received  into  the  Union.  At  Madison  Square  President  Harrison  will 
leave  the  procession,  and  taking  his  place  upon  the  Grand  Stand,  will  review 
the  parade.  There  will  be  triumphal  arches  of  flowers  spanning  Fifth  Avenue 
at  Twenty-third  street,  at  Twenty-sixth  street,  and  near  Fifty-seventh  street; 
and  other  street  decorations  of  great  beauty.  It  is  expected  that  there  will  be 
upwards  of  fifty  thousand  men  participating  in  this  magnificent  demonstration. 

ART  EXHIBITION  OF  HISTORIC  RELICS. 

At  7  o'clock  P.  M.  the  Art  Committee,  of  which  Henry  G.  Marquand  is 
chairman,  will  receive  the  President  of  the  United  States  at  the  Assembly 
Rooms  of  the  Metropolitan  Opera  House,  to  view  the  memorial  exhibition 
of  Historic  Portraits  and  Relics,  of  which  a  special  feature  will  be  the  pictures 
and  relics  of  Washington,  and  of  those  who  assisted  in  his  inauguration  a 
century  ago.  This  exhibition  will  be  opened  to  the  public  on  the  i;th  of 
April,  and  continue  three  weeks. 

THE   CENTENNIAL   BANQUET. 

On  the  evening  of  the  same  day  a  banquet  will  be  given  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  and  other  invited  guests,  in  the  Metropolitan  Opera 
House,  where  tables  magnificently  decorated  will  be  laid  for  eight  hundred 
guests.  At  the  close  of  the  banquet  distinguished  orators  of  national  reputa 
tion  will  address  the  assemblage. 


THE  THIRD  DAY. 

The   Industrial   Parade  of  May   i,   i 


The  Industrial  Parade,  on  Wednesday,  the  first  day  of  May,  will  embrace 
a  succession  of  floating  tableaux  that  will  pass  through  the  streets,  demon 
strating  the  progress  of  commerce,  the  arts,  and  trade,  within  the  hundred 
years  of  our  national  life.  This  spectacle  promises  to  eclipse  anything  of  its 


IF  You  Dtf  T  WANT  AWYTHII} 

In  our  line  just  now,  call  and  examine  our  stock, 
so  that  you  will  know  where  to  buy  to  the  best 
advantage  when  you  need 

FURNITURE,  CARPETS,  BEDDING,<k. 

We  do  not  claim  to  have  the  largest  stock  in  the 
world,  nor  to  sell  the  finest  goods  at  the  price  of 
the  commonest,  but  having  proper  facilities  and 
moderate  expenses,  we  can  guarantee  good  value 
for  your  money.  All  our  goods  are  marked  in 
PLAIN  FIGURES  AT  LOWEST  CASH  PRICES. 

GATELY  &  WILLIAMS,  •  •  136  anft  138  f .  23ft  Street,  New  Yorl 


ANTIQUES  AND  BRIC-A-BRAC, 

:  295  FIFTH  AVENUE, 

REPRESENTS  NEW      YORK. 

B.  SELIGMANN, 

109  BELLEVUE  AVE., 

Frankfurt  a.   Main.  NEWPORT,  R.  i. 


Program  of  Celebration — continued. 

character  New  Yorkers  have  ever  witnessed.  Its  route  will  be  the  same,  reversed, 
as  that  of  the  military  pageant  of  Tuesday,  and  will  be  reviewed  by  President 
Harrison.  Historic  scenes  of  great  interest,  such  as  the  origin  of  states,  will 
be  represented,  as,  for  instance:  Virginia,  "John  Smith  and  his  Party,  1607;" 
New  York,  "  Hendrick  Hudson  and  his  Crew,  1609;"  Plymouth,  Mass., 
"  Landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  1620;  "  Delaware,  Picture  of  Settlers,  1627  ; 
Maryland,  "the  Calverts,"  1632;  Pennsylvania,  "William  Penn  and  the 
Quakers,  1682;"  Georgia,  "the  Cavaliers,  1732."  Also,  First  Continental 
Congress,  1774;  Declaration  of  Independence,  1776;  Washington  and  his 
Staff,  mounted;  Washington  Crossing  the  Delaware,  December,  1776  ;  Wash 
ington  at  Valley  Forge,  1777;  Washington  Presenting  his  Resignation,  1783, 
and  the  Inauguration,  1789. 

One  section  will  represent  the  German  as  he  came  to  this  country,  what 
he  brought  here  and  what  he  has  accomplished  here.  Many  wagons  will  be 
used  to  carry  out  the  idea,  each  bearing  an  allegorical  scene,  as,  for  instance  : 
A  Dutch  vessel  with  emigrants  ;  emigrant  wagons  with  cattle,  etc. ;  the  farmer 
with  -his  agricultural  implements  ;  the  printing  press  in  operation  turning  out 
an  account  of  the  parade  for  distribution ;  the  German  heroes  of  the  Revolu 
tion — De  Kalb,  Von  Steuben,  etc. ;  wagons  with  emigrants  of  1848  ;  the  intro 
duction  of  the  wine  culture  ;  the  beer-brewing  process ;  the  singers  ;  the  engi 
neers,  and  models  of  the  Niagara  and  East  River  bridges ;  the  press ;  the 
architectural  and  sculptural  interests  ;  different  groups  from  Wagner's  operas  ; 
Columbia  and  Germania,  and,  last,  the  different  German  costumes.  The  Ger 
man  athletes  will  form  an  escort  for  the  whole  section. 

The  colossal  pageant  will  include  the  different  industries  appropriately 
interspersed  together  with  organizations  of  many  kinds — civic,  educational, 
political  and  charitable;  the  fire  companies  will  be  out  with  their  antique 
goose-necked  machines,  followed  by  a  battalion  of  the  present  force.  It  is 
estimated  that  as  many,  if  not  more,  will  participate  in  this  procession  as  in  the 
one  of  the  previous  day. 

FIRE  WORKS. 

The  centennial  jubilee  will  present  on  the  evening  of  the  day  a  brilliant 
exhibition  of  fire  works  in  different  parts  of  the  city.  They  will  be  set  off  at 
the  Bowling  Green;  at  City  Hall  Park;  at  Tompkins  Square;  at  Madison 
Square;  at  Mount  Morris  Square;  at  the  Plaza  at  59th  street  and  8th  avenue; 
at  Abingdon  Square  ;  at  86th  street  and  avenue  A;  at  Washington  Heights;  at 
Bryant  Park ;  and  various  other  places. 


66  West  23d  Street,  New  York. 

#. 

OTJIxi;    g  ~P  ~P"!  Q  T  A.TiTl'V"- 

BON  *  MARGHE  *  GLOVES  -  AND  x  CORSETS, 

Which  are  FITTED  ON  BEFORE  BEING  PAID  FOR,  if  so  desired,  are 
manufactured  expressly  for  us  and  positively  guaranteed. 


8.  W.  RICHARDS,  66  West  23d  Street,  New  York. 


WARNER  &  KING 


IMPORTERS  OF 


Bftgs  aqd  Ifon  Bedgtadg  and  (Jrifc 

SPECIALTIES  IN 

BLACK,  WHITE  AND  TINTED  ENAMELLED  BEDSTEADS, 
from  $5.OO  up. 

-*~i  ALL    KINDS    OF    COIYIIVIOI^    IRON    BEDSTEADS.  i-»- 

*£ — :  BEDDING  ^^^ 

Fine    Hair    Mattresses,    Spring   Beds,    Live   Geese    Feathers,    Down    Quilts,    Cushions, 
Sheets,  Slips,  Comfortables,  etc.,  etc.     Mattresses  made  over  at  short  notice. 


4O4  Sixth  Avenue,  NEW  YORK* 

BETWEEN  24th  and  25th  STREETS. 


Committees  on  the  Centennial  Celebration. 


GENERAL  COMMITTEE,  NEW  YORK  CITY. 


ADAMS,  CHARLES  H. 
ALLEN,  CHARLES  F. 
ANDERSON,  E.  ELLERY 
ARTHUR,  CHESTER  ALAN 
ASTOR,  WM.  WALDORF 
AUCHMUTY,  RICHARD  T. 
BABCOCK,  SAMUEL  D. 
BARNES,  JOHN  S. 
BARLOW,  S.  L.  M. 
BEACH,  CAPT.  WARREN  C. 
BENJAMIN,  FREDERICK  A. 
BEEKMAN,  J.  W. 
BEEKMAN,  WM.  B. 
BELKNAP,  ROBERT  LENNOX 
BLISS,  GEORGE 
BLISS,  CORNELIUS  N. 
BIRD,  JOHN  H. 
BISSEL,  WILLIAM  H. 
BORROWS,  SAMUEL 
BOYESON,  H.  H. 
BOWEN,  CLARENCE  W. 
BROWN,  JAMES  M. 
BURNET,  JAMES  J. 
CAMPBELL,  ALLAN 
CADWALADER,  JOHN  L. 
CANTOR,  HON.  JACOB  A. 
CARTER,  JAMES  C. 
CARLETON,  HENRY  GUY 
CHENEY,  ALFRED  C. 
CLINTON,  ALEXANDER  JAMES 
CLARKSON,  COL.  FLOYD 
CLARKSON,  FREDERICK 
CLARKSON,  BANYER, 
CLAFLIN,  JOHN 
COE,  CHARLES  A. 
CON  WAY,  MONCURE  D. 
CONKLING,  ALFRED  R. 
CONNOR,  WASHINGTON  E. 
CONSTABLE,  JAMES  M. 
COOPER,  EDWARD 
COCHRANE,  GEN.  JOHN 
COUDERT,  FREDERICK  R. 
CRUIKSHANK,  EDWIN  A. 
CRUGER,  S.  VAN  RENSSELAER 
CROSBY,  WILLIAM  HENRY 
CUTTING,  W.  BAYARD 
DALY,  CHARLES  P. 
DAYTON,  CHARLES  W. 
DAVIES,  RICHARD  T. 
DEPEW,  CHAUNCEY  M. 
DE  PEYSTER,  FREDERICK  J. 
DE  LANCEY,  EDWARD  F. 
DEW  ITT,  GEORGE  G. 
DEWITT,  RICHARD  VARICK 


Di  CESNOLA,  L.  P. 
Dix,  DR.  MORGAN 
DODGE,  W.  E. 
DRAKE,  A.  W. 
EDSON,  FRANKLIN 
EHLERS,  EDW.  M.  L. 
EMMET,  THOMAS  ADDIS 
ERBEN,  CAPTAIN  HENRY 
EVARTS,  WM.  M. 
FARRAGUT,  LOYALL 
FISH,  STUYVESANT 
FISH,  HAMILTON 
FITZGERALD,  Louis 
FISK,  JOSIAH  M. 
FORD,  GORDON  L. 
GALLATIN,  FREDERICK 
GARDINER,  ASA  BIRD 
•  GENET,  GEORGE  CLINTON 
GEDNEY,  WILLIAM  H. 
GERRY,  ELBRIDGE  T. 
GILDER,  RICHARD  W. 
GOELET,  OGDEN 
GOELET,  ROBERT 
GRANT,  HUGH  J. 
GRACE,  WM.  R. 
HAVEN,  GEORGE  G. 
HAMILTON,  SCHUYLER 
HAMILTON,  WILLIAM  G. 
HART,  CHAS.  HENRY 
HANSELT,  CHAS. 
HEWITT,  ABRAM  S. 
HENDRICHS,  EDMUND 
HISCOCK,  HON.  FRANK 
HUNTINGTON,  DANIEL 

HUSTED,  HON.  lAMES  W. 

HYDE,  HENRY  B. 

ISHAM,  CHARLES 

ISELIN,  ADRIAN 

IVES,  BRAYTON 

JACKSON,  JOSEPH  C. 

JAMES,  D.  WILLIS 

JAY,  WILLIAM 

JAY,  JOHN 

JONES,  JOHN  D.  W. 

KANE,  S.  NICHOLSON 

KEESE,  WILLIAM  LINN 

KELLY,  EUGENE 

KING,  JOHN  A. 

KING,  RUFUS 

KNOX,  ALEX. 

KNOX,  JOHN  J. 

LAWRENCE,  FRANK  R. 

LEARY,  ARTHUR 

LEDYARD,  HKNRV  BROCKHOLST 


LEROY,  HENRY  W. 
LIVINGSTON,  JOHNSTON, 
LIVINGSTON,  JAMES  DUANE 
Low,  SETH 
LOEW,  EDWARD  V. 
MARQUAND,  HENRY  G. 
MCALLISTER,  WARD 
MCCURDY,  RICHARD  A. 
MILLET,  FRANK  D. 
MILLS,  DARIUS  O. 
MOORE,  JACOB  B. 
MOORE,  THOMAS  S. 
MONTGOMERY,  JAMES  M. 
MORRIS,  GOUVERNEUR 
MORRIS,  Louis  G. 
MORGAN,  J.  PIERREPONT 
MORTON.  LEVI  P. 
MYERS,  THEODORE  W. 
NEWBOLD,  THOMAS  H. 
NICOLL,  DE  LANCEY 
OLIN,  STEPHEN  H. 
OTTENDORFER,  OSWALD 
PARSONS.  CHARLES 
PERRY,  OLIVER  H. 
PENDLETON,  GEORGE  HUNT 
PINE,  JOHN  B. 
PIERREPONT,  JOHN  J. 
PLUMMER,  JOHN  F. 
POTTER,  ORLANDO  B. 
RHINELANDER,  FREDERICK  W. 
ROOSEVELT,  ROBERT  R. 
ROOSEVELT,  THEODORE 
ROBB,  J.  HAMPDEN 
ROBERTSON,  WM.  H. 
RUSSELL,  CHAS.  H.,  JR. 
RUTTER,  ROBERT 
SCHALL,  ROBERT 
SCHELL,  EDWARD 
SCHERMERHORN,  F.  AUGUSTUS 
SCHUYLER,  JOHN 
SCHUYLER,  PHILIP 
SELIGMAN,  JESSE 
SEWARD,  CLARENCE  A. 
SHANNON,  ROBT.  H. 
SHERMAN,  GARDINER 
SHULTZ,  JACKSON  S. 
SIMS,  CLIFFORD  STANLEY 
SIMMONS,  J.  EDWARD 
SLOANE,  JOHN 
SLOANE,  WM.  D. 
SLOTE,  HENRY  L. 
SMITH,  JAMES  D. 
SMITH,  F.  HOPKINSON, 
SMITH,  WM.  C. 


OF 


LONDON'S  LATEST  STYLES" 

IN   MEDIUM  WEIGHT 


OVERCOATS 


"The  Pall  Mall," ••-•- 

"The  Beaufort," 

"The  Piccadilly," 
The  "Strap  Seam"  Box  Coat. 


Special  $12,00  Spring  Overcoats, 

Made  by  our  own  London  House  from  "Special  Fabrics"  under  the  personal  direction 

of  Mr.  E.  O.  Thompson. 


EFFECTS 


DESIGNS 


ZDISTUCsTOT 


Also  PHILADELPHIA  AND  BOSTON. 


E.  O.  THOMPSON, 

CLOTHIER-TAILOR—IMPORTER 

245    Broadway,  (Near  Post  Office.) 


-•-I-  THE  MOST  EXTENSIVE  MANUFACTURERS  OF  BILLIARD  TABLES  IN  THE  WORLD,  i 


THE  BRUNSWICK-BALKE-COLLENDER  CO., 
860  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK  CITY. 

Newest  and  most  elegant  styles  furnished  with  the  Unequalled  Monarch  Cushions. 

BILLIARD  MATERIALS,  CLOTH,  BALLS,  CUES,  Etc.,  of  our  own  Manufacture  and  Importation. 


-  Oolloxxdoir    Go.,  eg—-  *  c. 

MAIN  OFFICES  AND  FACTORIES: 

NEW  YORK  :—  Office  and  Salesroom,  860  Broadway,  Corner  17th  Street,  Union  Square. 

CHICAGO  :—  Office,  Salesroom  and  Manufactory,  Corner  Market  and  Huron  Sts.,  North-Side.    Branch  Salesroom, 

47  and  49  State  Strer-t,  South-Side. 

CINCINNATI:—  8,  10  and  12  West  Sixth  Street.  -  -  ..  .      -  ST.  LOUIS:—  117  North  Sixth  Street. 

BRANCH  OFFICES  AND  SALESROOMS: 


ST.  PAUL,  MINN  .............  844  Jackson  St. 

MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN.,  ...  121  Washington  Ave.  North. 
MILWAUKEE,  Wis.,  .....        .   .  144  West  Water  St. 

OMAHA,  NEB.,  ..........  409  South  Tenth  St. 

KANSAS  CITY,  Mo.,  ..........  410  Delaware  St. 

DENVER,  COL.,  ...........  1525  Fifteenth  St. 


BOSTON,  MASS.,  ..........  42  to  48  Hanover  St. 

PHILADELPHIA,  PENN.,  .........  1002  Arch  St. 

BALTIMORE,  MD  ...........  11  West  Fayette  St. 

PITTSBURGH,  PENN.,  ..........  117  Fifth  Ave. 

BUFFALO,  NEW  YORK,  .......  587-589  Main  St. 

CLEVELAND,  OHIO,  ...........  174  Seneca  St. 


STEDMAN,  EDMUND  CLARENCE 
STEINWAY,  WM. 
STODDARD,  RICHARD  HENRY 
STOKES,  WM.  E.  D. 
STUYVESANT,  RUTHERFORD 
STEWART,  LISPENARD 
STANTON,  WALTER 
STEVENS,  JOHN  AUSTIN 
STANDISH,  MILES 
STRONG,  WILLIAM  L. 
STUYVESANT,  ROBERT 
TALLMADGE,  FREDERICK  S. 


TAPPAN,  FREDERICK  D. 
TIEMAN,  DANIEL  F. 
TOMLINSON,  JOHN  C. 
TUCKER,  JOHN  J. 
VANDERBILT,  CORNELIUS 
VANDERBILT,  WM.  K. 
VAN  BUREN,  TRAVIS  COLES 
VAN  COURTLAND,  JAMES  S. 
VANRENSSELAERJ.TALLMADGE 
VARICK,  JOHN  BARNES 
VARNUM,  JAMES  M. 
WARNER,  ANDREW 


WEBB,  ALEXANDER  S. 
WEBB,  G.  CREIGHTON 
WEEKS,  JOHN  A. 
WIMAN,  ERASTUS 
WINCHESTER,  LOCKE  W. 
WICKHAM,  WM.  H. 
WILSON,  RICHARD  T. 
WINTHROP,  BUCHANAN 
WINTHROP,  EGERTON  L. 
WILSON,  JAMES  GRANT 
WILSON,  GEORGE 
WRIGHT,  STEPHEN  M. 


Committees  on  the  Centennial  Celebration,  April  soth,   1889,  of  the  Inauguration  of 
George  Washington  as  President  of  the  United  States. 


HAMILTON  FISH,  President. 
HUGH  J.  GRANT,  Chairman. 

No.  1.-PLAN  AND  SCOPE. 

HUGH  J.  GRANT,  Chairman, 
ABRAM  S.  HEWITT, 
JAMES  M.  VARNUM, 
CORNELIUS  N.  BLISS, 
FREDERICK  S.  TALLMADGE, 
SAMUEL  D.  BABCOCK. 

No.  2.— STATES. 

WM.  G.  HAMILTON,  Chairman, 

JAMES  C.  CARTER, 

JOHN  SCHUYLER, 

J.TALLMADGE  VAN  RENSSELAER 

JAMES  W.  HUSTED, 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT, 

JACOB  A.  CANTOR, 

E.  ELLERY  ANDERSON, 

FLOYD  CLARKSON, 

HENRY  W.  LE  ROY, 

JOHN  B.  PINE, 

SAMUEL  BURROWE, 

JAS.  M.  MONTGOMERY,  Sec*y. 

No.  3.— GENERAL  GOVERNMENT. 

JOHN  A.  KING,  Chairman, 
JOHN  JAY, 
EDWARD  COOPER, 
WM.  H.  WICKHAM, 
WM.  R.  GRACE, 
FREDERICK  J.  DE  PEYSTER, 
WM.  H.  ROBERTSON, 
CORNELIUS  VANDERBILT, 
WM.  M.  EVARTS, 
FRANK  HISCOCK, 
SETH  Low,  Secretary. 

No.  4.— ARMY  (Military  and  Indus- 
trial  Parade). 

S.  VAN  RENSSELAER  CRUGER, 
JOHN  COCHRANE,       Chairman, 
LOCKE  W.  WINCHESTER, 
J.  HAMPDEN  ROBB, 


ELBRIDGE  T.  GERRY,  Chairman  Executive  Committee. 
CLARENCE  W.  BOWEN,  Secretary. 


FREDERICK  GALLATIN, 
FREDERICK  D.  TAPPEN, 
JOHN  C.  TOMLINSON,  Secretary. 

No.  5.-NAVY. 

ASA  BIRD  GARDINER,  Chairman, 
JOHN  S.  BARNES, 
GEORGE  G.  HAVEN, 
JACKSON  S.  SCHULTZ, 
D.  WILLIS  JAMES, 
FREDERICK  R.  COUDERT, 
CAPT.  HENRY  ERBEN,  U.  S.  N. 
OGDEN  GOELET, 
JOHN  JAY  PIERREPONT, 
LOYALL  FARRAGUT, 
ALFRED  C.  CHENEY, 
BUCHANAN  WINTHROP, 
S.  NICHOLSON  KANE,  Secretary. 

No.  6.— ENTERTAINMENT. 

STUYVESANT  FISH,  Chairman, 
WILLIAM  WALDORF  ASTOR, 
WILLIAM  K.  VANDERBILT. 
WILLIAM  JAY, 
EGERTON  L.  WINTHROP, 
ROBERT  GOELET, 
GOUVERNEUR  MORRIS, 
WM.  B.  BEEKMAN, 
S.  L.  M.  BARLOW, 
STEPHEN  H.  OLIN, 
WM.  E.  D.  STOKES, 
WARD  MCALLISTER, 

Secretary  and  Manager. 

No.  7.— FINANCE. 

BRAYTON  IVF.S,  Chairman, 
DARIUS  O.  MILLS, 
RICHARD  T.  WILSON, 
WILLIAM  L.  STRONG, 
HENRY  B.  HYDE, 
JAMES  M.  BROWN, 
Louis  FITZGERALD, 
ALLAN  CAMPBELL, 


JOHN  SLOANE, 
JAMES  D.  SMITH, 
EDWARD  V.  LOEW, 
EUGENE  KELLY, 
WALTER  STANTON, 
JOHN  F.  PLUMMER, 
J.  EDWARD  SIMMONS, 

g>HN  JAY  KNOX, 
E  LANCEY  NICOLL,  Secretary. 

No.  8.—  RAILROADS  AND  TRANS- 
PORTATION. 

ORLANDO  B.  POTTER, Chairman, 
CHAUNCEY  M.  DEPEW, 
ERASTUS  WIMAN, 
CHARLES  W.  DAYTON, 
JOSIAH  M.  FISK, 
CLIFFORD  STANLEY  SIMS, 
THOMAS  S.  MOORE, 
JAS.  DUANE  LIVINGSTON,  Secy. 

No.  9.— ART  AND  EXHIBITION. 

HENRY  G.  MARQUAND,  Ctfn, 
GORDON  L.  FORD,  Vice-Ch?n. 
DANIEL  HUNTINGTON, 
F.  HOPKINSON  SMITH, 
WILLIAM  E.  DODGE, 
CHAS.  PARSONS, 
A.  W.  DRAKE, 
OLIVER  H.  PERRY, 
FRANK  D.  MILLET, 
H.  H.  BOYESEN, 
CHARLES  HENRY  HART, 
RUTHERFORD  STUYVESANT, 
JOHN  L.  CADWALADER, 
LISPENARD  STEWART, 
CHAS.  H.  RUSSELL,  JR. 
RICHARD  W.  GILDER,  Secretary. 

No.  10.— LITERARY  EXERCISES. 

ELBRIDGE  T.  GERRY, Chairman, 
CLARENCE  W.  BOWEN,  Se<?y. 


Hi  "k  Dial"  Gas 


ECONOMICAL,  EFFiglENT^DURABLE. 


Largest  *  Assortment  *  anil  *  Lowest  *  Pric  es, 

NO  COAL,  NO  WOOD,  NO  SMOKE,  NO  ASHES,  NO  DIRT, 
NO  WASTE,  NO  DANGER. 


Eoodwin  Eas  Stove  *  Meter  60., 


No.  825 

NEW  YORK. 


gend  for 


JAQUES  &  MARCUS, 


JEWELERS  AND  GOLDSMITHS, 
WATCHES, 

DIAMONDS  AND  RARE  GEMS. 


857  BROADWAY,  cor.  ijth  STREET. 


SOUVENIR 


OF   THE 


Centennial  Anniversary  of  Washington's  Inauguration 

April   30,    1789 


AS 


FIRST  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
The  Birth  of  the  American   Republic 


PAPERS  BY  MRS.  MARTHA  J.  LAMB 

[From  the  Magazine  of  American  History  of  December,  1888,  February,  1889, 

March,   1889] 


•WITH    THE 


Program  of  Ceremonies 


NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 
WHITE  AND  ALLEN 


COPYRIGHT,  1889,  BY  MRS.  MARTHA  J.  LAMB 


[Original  Painting  by  Gilbert  Stuart  in  the  gallery  of  Lenox  Library.] 


L3 

SOUVENIR 

OF 

THE  GREAT  NEW  YORK  CELEBRATION,  1889. 

Papers  by  Mrs.  Martha  J.  Lamb. 


FIRST     PAPER. 


THE   INAUGURATION    OF    WASHINGTON,    1789* 

IT  is  now  almost  a  hundred  years  since  New  York — a  city  which  attends 
so  strictly  to  business  as  to  leave  reminiscence  almost  wholly  to  her 
neighbors — was  the  scene  of  the  most  sublime  ceremonial  in  human  his 
tory,  an  affair  which  up  to  that  time  had  no  parallel  on  this  continent,  and 
one  which  thrilled  the  whole  civilized  world. 

The  inauguration  of  Washington  in  1789,  the  centennial  anniversary  of 
which  is  about  to  be  celebrated  in  our  great  money  centre,  Wall  street,  and 
the  ushering  of  a  new  nation  into  existence  to  take  its  permanent  place 
in  the  great  family  of  nations,  were  one  and  the  same  event.  As  our 
first  President,  standing  grave  and  tranquil  on  the  balcony  of  Federal 
Hall  surrounded  by  a  notable  group  of  American  heroes,  took  the 
impressive  oath  of  office,  action  was  given  to  the  intricate  machinery  of  a 
new  form  of  government  capable  of  developing  the  resources  and  insuring 
the  prosperity,  power,  and  permanence  of  an  immense  people.  The  life 
current  of  liberty  in  that  supreme  moment  leaped  into  a  perpetual  flow. 

The  story  of  the  founding  of  colonies  in  America,  their  coming  of  age, 
and  battles  for  independence,  is  irresistibly  fascinating.  But  it  has  been 
told  so  often  and  so  well  during  the  last  thirteen  years  of  centennial 
uprising — by  sections,  in  detail,  as  a  whole,  and  with  countless  variations — 
that  its  wonderful  and  significant  sequel  only  will  concern  us  in  this  paper. 

Turning  the  leaf  backward  to  the  beginning  of  April,  1789,  we  find  the 
city  of  New  York — which  was  then  bold  enough  to  hope  that  through  the 
aid  of  a  kind  Providence  it  might,  some  happy  day  in  the  far-away  future, 
reach  Canal  street — in  the  attitude  of  hilarious  anticipation.  An  electrical 
current  seemed  to  have  passed  through  every  department  of  business,  and 
every  project  prospered.  Fresh  paint,  and  rents,  advanced  with  unusual 
celerity.  A  notable  French  writer  says  it  then  cost  more  to  live  in  New 

*  Paper  written  by  special  request,  and  read  by  the  author  before  the  New  "York  Historical 
Society  at  the  opening  meeting  of  the  season,  October  2,  1888. 

Copyright  1888,  by  Mrs.  Martha  J   Lamb. 


M107499 


2  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

York  than  in  France,  as  the  price  of  board  was  from  four  to  six  dollars  a 
week.  The  old  Congress  had  been  holding  its  sessions  in  Wall  street  dur 
ing  the  four  preceding  years.  Now  all  eyes  were  turned  towards  the 
coming  of  new  legislators  and  the  consummation  of  Union.  The  doctrine 
of  state  rights  fell  suddenly  into  disrepute,  and  the  public  mind  wondered 
at  its  own  obstinacy  in  contending  for  thirteen  independent  sovereign 
ties — which  would  have  been  eternally  counteracting  each  other. 

The  new  Congress  under  the  Constitution  was  to  have  assembled  on 
the  4th  of  March,  but  the  delegates  came  slowly.  On  the  25th  of  that 
month  Fisher  Ames,  who  had  arrived  some  days  before,  wrote  to  George 
R.  Minot,  of  Boston  : 

"  We  have  26  representatives  ;  and  as  30  are  necessary  to  make  a  quorum,  we  are  still 
in  a  state  of  inaction.  ...  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  the  languor  of  the  old  Con 
federation  is  transfused  into  the  members  of  the  new  Congress.  This  city  has  not  caught 
the  spirit,  or  rather  the  want  of  spirit,  I  am  vexing  myself  to  express  to  you.  Their  hall 
will  cost  £20,000,  York  money.  They  are  preparing  fireworks,  and  a  splendid  barge  for 
the  President,  which  last  will  cost  £200  to  ^300.  We  lose  ,£1,000  a  day  revenue.  We 
lose  credit,  spirit,  everything.  The  public  will  forget  the  government  before  it  is  born. 
The  resurrection  of  the  infant  will  come  before  its  birth.  Happily  the  federal  interest  is 
strong  in  Congress.  The  old  Congress  still  continues  to  meet,  and  it  seems  to  be  doubtful 
whether  the  old  government  is  dead,  or  the  new  one  alive.  God  deliver  us  speedily  from 
this  puzzling  state,  or  prepare  my  will,  if  it  subsists  much  longer,  for  I  am  in  a  fever  to 
think  of  it." 

It  was  not  until  Wednesday,  April  I,  that  enough  members  of  the 
House  had  appeared  for  a  quorum,  and  the  most  of  these  had^been 
obliged  to  make  the  journey  from  distant  states  on  horseback  or  in  spring- 
less  stages,  for  it  was  too  early  in  the  season  to  drag  their  own  chariots 
over  the  primitive  roads,  rendered  nearly  impassable  by  the  March  storms, 
and  it  was  not  every  congressman  who  had  a  chariot  of  his  own.  They 
came  into  the  city  weary  and  worn,  rejoicing  to  reach  a  haven  where  they 
could  unpack  their  crumpled  velvets  and  satins,  burnish  their  shoe-buckles, 
and  submit  their  heads  to  the  barber  for  style  and  powder.  It  is  instruct 
ive  to  observe  the  picturesque  costumes  in  which  the  wise  men  of  that 
day  advocated  "  republican  simplicity."  Even  those  who  were  the  most 
pronounced  in  their  censure  of  aristocratic  influences  looked  sharply  after 
the  starch  in  their  ruffles,  and  the  status  of  their  hair-dresser.  Alexander 
W'hite,  one  of  the  representatives  from  Virginia,  who  had  distinguished 
himself  for  eloquence  and  patriotism  in  the  old  Congress,  and  now  at  the 
age  of  forty,  was  one  of  the  most  promising  characters  in  the  new  body, 
wrote  on  the  1st  of  April,  concerning  the  situation,  naming  the  candi- 


THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789  3 

dates  for  the  speaker's  chair,  a  letter  which  through  the  courtesy  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  who  possesses  the  original,  we  are  able  to  give  in 
facsimile. 


[FAC-SIMILE  OK  ORIGINAL  IN  POSSESSION  OF  DR.  THOMAS  ADDIS  EMMET.] 

On  the  4th  of  April,  Fisher  Ames  wrote  again  to  Mr.  Minot  : 

"  The  House  is  composed  of  sober,  solid,  old-charter  folks,  as  we  often  say.  At  least, 
I  am  sure  that  there  are  many  such.  They  have  been  in  government  before,  and  they 
are  not  disposed  to  embarrass  business,  nor  are  they,  for  most  part,  men  of  intrigue. 
.  .  .  It  will  be  quite  a  republican  assembly.  It  looks  like  one.  Many  who  expected 
a  Roman  senate,  when  the  doors  shall  be  opened,  will  be  disappointed.  Admiration  will 
lose  its  feast  .  .  .  The  Senate  will  be  a  very  respectable  body.  Heaven  knows 
when  they  will  act.  Report  is  (and  has  been  so  these  three  weeks)  that  several  senators 
are  just  at  hand.  P.  S.  —  Sunday,  April  5th,  Mr.  R.  H.  Lee  is  arrived,  and  so  the  Sen 
ate  has  a  quorum." 


4  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

The  two  Houses  organized  April  6,  in  the  chambers  prepared  for 
them  in  the  new  Federal  Hall  in  Wall  street.  This  was  the  old  historic 
City  Hall,  which  had  been  the  seat  of  legislative  affairs  in  New  York  for 
nearly  a  century,  remodeled  and  complimented  with  a  new  name.  The 
first  business  of  Congress  was  to  open  and  count  the  votes  for  President. 


[FAC-SIMILE  OF  ORIGINAL  IN  POSSESSION  OF  DR.  THOMAS  ADDIS  EMMET.] 


THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1/89 


5 


It  was  found,  as  expected,  that  Washington  had  received  every  one.     John 
Adams  received  the  majority  for  Vice-President. 

The  next  business  was  to  send  Charles  Thomson  to  Mount  Vernon 
on  horseback  to  communicate  the  official  information  to  the  President 
elect,  and  he  started  on  his  journey  early  the  next  morning.  Charles 


SECRETARY    OF   CONGRESS    FROM    1774   TO    1789. 

Thomson  had  been  since  1774,  fifteen  years,  the  sole  secretary  of  Con 
gress,  rendering  services  of  priceless  value  to  the  country.  He  was  of 
Irish  birth,  with  a  fine  classical  education,  considerable  literary  talent,  and 
at  this  time  was  sixty  years  of  age.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Harrison,  a 
sister  of  President  William  Henry  Harrison's  father  ;  and  their  daughter, 
Ann  Thomson,  became  the  wife  of  Vice-President  Elbridge  Gerry.  The 


6  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

official  messenger  to  John  Adams  was  Sylvanus  Bourne,  who  at  six  o'clock 
on  the  ;th  of  April  sailed  in  a  packet  boat,  "  with  a  fair  wind,"  for  Boston, 
by  way  of  Long  Island  Sound.  The  letter  of  Alexander  White,  dated 
8th  April  (in  fac-simile),  relates  to  these  movements. 

In  the  mean  time  all  eyes  were  turned  towards  the  stately  edifice  in 
Wall  street— then  the  fashionable  promenade  of  the  city — which  hence 
forward  became  the  Mecca  of  every  citizen,  visitor,  and  stranger,  who 
trod  the  soil  of  Manhattan  Island.  Throngs  of  ladies  and  gentlemen, 
dressed  in  all  the  brilliant  colors  and  gorgeous  costumes  of  the  period, 
jostled  each  other  every  pleasant  afternoon,  and  surveyed,  with  curious 
interest,  the  massive  pillars  supporting  the  four  Doric  columns  and  a  pedi 
ment,  the  ingenious  device  by  which  the  cornice  was  arranged  to  admit 
thirteen  stars  in  the  metopes,  the  American  eagle  and  other  insigina  in  the 
pediment,  the  tablets  over  each  window  with  their  sculptured  thirteen 
arrows  entwined  with  olive  branches— all  of  which  combined  to  give  the  im 
posing  structure  the  effect  of  having  been  set  apart  for  national  purposes. 

Few  persons  except  the  members  of  the  new  national  legislature  were 
as  yet  permitted  to  enter  its  portals.  The  finishing  processes  had  only 
just  been  concluded.  The  vestibule  was  floored  with  marble,  and  lighted 
from  a  richly  ornamented  dome.  The  chamber  for  the  representatives 
was  of  octangular  shape,  sixty-one  feet  long  and  fifty-eight  broad,  four  of 
its  sides  rounded  in  the  manner  of  niches,  and  its  arched  ceiling  forty-six 
feet  high  in  the  centre.  Its  windows  were  large,  and  beneath  each  one 
was  a  commodious  fireplace,  the  only  heating  apparatus  it  possessed  for 
the  winter  season.  There  were  two  galleries,  a  speaker's  platform,  and  a 
separate  chair  and  desk  for  each  member.  The  chairs  were  covered  with 
light  blue  damask,  and  the  windows  were  curtained  with  the  same  ma 
terial.  The  floor  was  handsomely  carpeted. 

The  senate  chamber  was  smaller,  and  elaborately  decorated.  In  the 
centre  of  an  arched  ceiling  of  light  blue  was  a  sun  and  thirteen  stars ;  its 
fireplaces  were  of  highly  polished  variegated  American  marble,  and  its 
window  curtains  and  chair  coverings  of  light  crimson  damask.  The  Presi 
dent's  chair  was  elevated  three  feet  above  the  floor,  under  a  crimson  can 
opy,  and  the  carpet,  in  excellent  taste,  harmonized  with  its  gay  coloring. 
This  hall  opened  upon  a  balcony  twelve  feet  deep,  which  was  guarded  by 
an  iron  railing.  The  portion  of  that  railing  between  the  two  central  pil 
lars,  before  which  Washington  stood  at  the  supreme  moment  of  his  in 
auguration,  is  now  in  the  museum  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society, 
and  its  centre-piece  of  thirteen  arrows  invests  it  with  curious  interest. 
The  balcony  overlooked  both  Wall  and  Broad  streets,  and  on  the  memor- 


THE    INAUGURATION   OF    WASHINGTON,    1789 

.4i<?>wve0  fir   we    ^IA3 SA CHITS ET  TS  ^MAGAZINE,    %i.nft  if •$$, 


THE   FEDERAL   HALL    IN   WALL   STREET,    IN    1789. 

able  day  of  Washington's  inauguration  it  was  adorned  with  a  canopy  and 
curtains  of  recj,  interstreaked  with  white. 

There  were  numerous  other  rooms  in  the  building,  for  various  uses — 
a  library,  lobbies,  and  committee  rooms  above,  and  guard-rooms  below; 
but  the  legislative  halls  were  the  centre  of  attraction. 

Here  were  assembled  the  men  of  parliamentary  talent  and  social  ac- 


8  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

complishment,  for  which  the  first  American  Congress  under  the  Constitu 
tion  has  ever  since  been  justly  famous.  They  were  nearly,  if  not  quite 
all,  fresh  from  some  public  service,  local  or  general  ;  they  were  astute,  self- 
reliant,  influential,  opinionated,  and  conscientiously  and  vigorously  pre 
pared  for  whatever  serious  work  might  come  before  them.  While  Wash 
ington,  summoned  to  the  seat  of  government  by  Secretary  Thomson, 
approaches  New  York  from  Virginia,  in  his  private  carriage,  let  us  spend  a 
few  moments  these  statesmen,  who  were  present  to  welcome  him,  bring 
ing  each  one  before  us  for  cordial  greeting. 

Beginning  with  the  senate,  we  find  two  from  Massachusetts,  Tristam 
Dalton  and  Caleb  Strong,  both  of  whom  were  Harvard  graduates.  Dalton 
had  studied  law  for  pleasure,  but  being  cumbered  with  a  large  fortune 
never  had  practiced  at  the  bar  ;  he  had,  however,  served  many  years  in  the 
Massachusetts  legislature,  and  now  at  the  age  of  forty-six,  was  widely 
known  as  a  highly  cultivated  Christian  gentleman,  and  one  greatly  beloved 
for  his  philanthropic  tendencies.  Caleb  Strong  was  forty-four,  a  tall,  angu 
lar,  dark-complexioned  man,  with  a  large  head,  hair  slightly  powdered  and 
resting  loosely  over  a  high  intellectual  forehead,  with  blue  eyes  of  singular 
sweetness  and  beauty  of  expression.  He  was  profoundly  learned  in  all 
the  varied  features  of  law,  inflexible  in  his  adherence  to  principle,  and 
more  inattentive  to  personal  elegance  of  dress  than  any  member  of  the 
senate.  He  is  best  remembered,  perhaps,  for  his  high-handed  action 
twenty-five  years  later,  when  as  governor  of  Massachusetts,  during  the 
war  of  1812,  he  denied  the  right  of  the  President,  on  constitutional  grounds, 
to  make  requisition  on  the  state  for  the  troops. 

There  were  also  two  senators  from  Connecticut,  William  Samuel  John 
son  and  Oliver  Ellsworth,  the  former  nearly  a  score  of  years  older  than 
the  latter.  Johnson,  a  Yale  graduate,  and  one  of  the  most  accomplished 
scholars  in  law,  science,  and  literature,  of  his  time,  was  now,  at  the  ripe 
age  of  sixty-one  the  popular  president  of  Columbia  College.  He  had 
served  in  the  old  Congress,  and  in  the  convention  that  framed  the  Constitu 
tion,  f  Oliver  Ellsworth,  subsequently  chief  justice  of  the  United  States, 
was  then  forty-three,  but  marvelously  rich  in  experience  for  one  of  his 
years.  His  education  had  been  completed  at  the  College  of  New  Jersey, 
after  two  years  at  Yale,  and  he  had  won  distinction  as  a  lawyer,  in  state 
legislation,  in  the  old  Congress  and  as  one  of  the  framers  of  the  Constitu 
tion.  He  was  a  well-bred,  unassuming  man,  always  self-possessed,  cautious, 
and  independent  in  utterance  whenever  his  opinions  were  once  formed.  No 
one  was  more  impressive  and  convincing  in  debate. 


THE    INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789  9 

The  only  senator  from  Virginia  was  Richard  H.  Lee,  the  same  who  made 
the  motion  in  the  Continental  Congress  of  1776,  "  that  these  United  Col 
onies  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  independent  states  ;  that  they 
are  absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  crown  ;  and  that  all  prac 
tical  connection  between  them  and  the  state  of  Great  Britain  is,  and 
ought  to  be,  totally  dissolved."  It  is  said  that  his  speech  on  introducing 
this  bold  measure  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  displays  of  eloquence  ever 
heard.  He  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  also  the  "  Articles  of 
Confederation,"  but  he  opposed  the  Constitution,  believing  it  would  tend 
to  destroy  the  independence  of  the  state  governments.  His  age  at  this 
time  was  fifty-six. 

But  one  senator  had,  as  yet,  arrived  from  South  Carolina,  Ralph  Izard, 
whose  grandfather  had  been  one  of  the  founders  of  that  state.  Educated 
at  the  university  of  Cambridge,  Ralph  Izard  had  imbibed  foreign  tastes, 
which  his  liberal  fortune  had  enabled  him  to  gratify.  He  had  resided 
many  years  in  Europe,  at  one  time  serving  Congress  as  an  ambassador  to 
the  court  of  the  grand  duke  of  Tuscany.  He  had  also,  at  a  great  crisis  in 
the  destiny  of  America,  pledged  his  large  estate  for  the  purchase  of  ships 
of  war.  His  wife,  whom  he  married  in  1767,  was  the  beautiful  and  accom 
plished  daughter  of  Peter  De  Lancey,  of  New  York,  whose  ancestry 
reached  backward  among  the  distinguished  families  to  the  very  beginnings 
of  settlement  on  Manhattan  Island.  Her  sister,  Mrs.  John  Watts,  resided 
in  Broadway,  near  the  Bowling  Green,  and  during  the  first  session  of  this 
first  Congress  entertained  Senator  Izard  and  his  family  in  her  spacious 
home.  Izard  was  forty-seven  years  of  age,  a  brilliant  orator,  and  a  cultured 
polished  gentleman  of  the  old  school. 

Pennsylvania's  senators  were  William  Maclay  and  Robert  Morris.  The 
great  financier  was  one  year  younger  than  the  President-elect — fifty-five. 
He  was  an  active  man — alive  in  every  fibre — large  and  florid,  bright-eyed 
and  pleasant-faced,  with  a  touch  of  magnetism  about  him  that  was  very 
effective.  He  spoke  with  ease,  and  whether  on  the  platform  or  in  private 
conversation  captivated  his  audience  with  a  rich  fund  of  political  and  gen 
eral  information.  He  signed  the  Declaration,  he  helped  to  frame  the 
Constitution,  and  much  more  ;  but  for  the  magic  of  his  genius  in  invention, 
our  independence,  so  dearly  bought,  might  never  have  been  maintained.* 

Maryland  sent  Charles  Carroll  and  John  Henry.  Carroll  was  fifty-two, 
refined,  scholarly,  and  a  model  of  dignified  deportment.  His  education 
had  been  perfected  in  the  best  institutions  of  learning  in  Europe,  and  he, 
too,  was  one  of  the  immortal  signers  of  the  Declaration.  When  the  Rev- 

*  Robert  Morris  made  the  motion  by  which  Washington  presided  over  the  Convention. 


10  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1/89 

olution  broke  out  he  was  considered  the  richest  man  in  the  colonies.  He 
lived  to  see  forty  years  of  progress  under  the  Constitution,  and  at  the  age 
of  ninety  laid  the  corner  stone  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad.  John 
Henry  was  a  graduate  of  Princeton,  had  served  in  the  old  Congress,  and 
was  subsequently  governor  of  Maryland. 

Delaware  sent  Richard  Bassett  and  George  Read.  Richard  Bassett 
was  a  lawyer  of  fine  standing,  who  had  been  in  the  old  Congress,  and  in 
the  convention  that  framed  the  Constitution,  and  subsequently  was  gov 
ernor  of  Delaware.  His  daughter  married  James  A.  Bayard,  and  was  the 
mother  of  our  present  Secretary  of  State.  George  Read  was  a  tall,  slight, 
graceful  man  of  fifty-six,  with  a  finely  shaped  head,  refined  features,  and 
dark-brown  lustrous  eyes.  He  was  distinguished  for  having  signed  all 
three  of  the  great  state  papers  on  which  our  history  is  based — the  original 
petition  to  the  king  from  the  Congress  of  1774,  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence,  and  the  Constitution — and  he  helped  to  conduct  public  affairs 
in  his  own  state  for  thirty-five  consecutive  years.* 

New  Jersey's  two  senators  were  Dr.  Jonathan  Elmer  and  Williani  Pat 
terson.  Dr.  Elmer  was  a  practicing  physician  of  distinction,  who,  after 
graduating  with  honors  from  the  university  of  Pennsylvania,  devoted  him 
self  to  study  and  became  renowned  for  his  learning.  He  was  forty-four, 
the  same  age  as  William  Patterson,  who  was  graduated  from  Princeton, 
became  a  lawyer,  and  commenced  his  public  career  in  the  convention  that 
framed  the  first  constitution  for  New  Jersey,  in  1776.  After  filling  many 
positions  of  trust  he,  in  1791,  became  governor  of  New  Jersey,  and  in  1794 
was  appointed  by  Washington  one  of  the  justices  of  the  supreme  court 
of  the  United  States. 

From  New  Hampshire  we  find  but  one  senator,  John  Langdon,  subse 
quently  three  times  governor  of  that  state,  and  one  of  the  framers  of  the 
Constitution — a  severely  practical  republican,  of  sterling  good  sense,  social 
habits,  and  pleasing  address.  It  was  he  who  furnished  means  to  equip 
Stark's  militia  for  the  battle  of  Bennington,  pledging  his  plate  among 
other  personal  valuables  for  the  purpose.  His  descendants  intermarried 
with  the  Astor  family  of  New  York.  His  colleague  was  Paine  Wingate, 
a  graduate  of  Harvard,  who  studied  divinity,  and  married  a  sister  of  Tim 
othy  Pickering.  He  was  a  man  of  talent  and  extensive  knowledge,  one 
who  commanded  universal  confidence.  Georgia  had  two  senators  present, 
James  Gunn,  who  continued  in  the  senate  for  twelve  years,  and  William 
Few,  who  married  one  of  the  daughters  of  Commodore  James  Nicholson, 

*In  person  George  Read  was  tall,  slight,  graceful,  with  a  finely-shaped  head,  refined  features,  and 
dark  brown  lustrous  eyes.  His  manners  were  dignified  and  stately. 


THE    INAUGURATION    OF    WASHINGTON,    1789 


II 


TABLE   AND    CHAIR    USED   BY   THE    FIRST   CONGRESS   UNDER   THE    CONSTITUTION. 

[/«  possession  of  the  New   York  Historical  Society.'] 

a  sister  of  Mrs.  Albert  Gallatin,  and  became  a  permanent  resident  and  at 
one  time  mayor  of  New  York  city.  The  secretary  of  the  senate  was  Sam 
uel  A.  Otis,  of  Boston,  brother  of  the  celebrated  James  Otis,  a  Harvard 
graduate,  who  had  seen  public  life  in  all  its  various  phases.  He  married 
the  only  daughter  of  Harrison  Gray,  receiver-general  of  Massachusetts. 

In  the  House  were  men  of  similar  prominence  from  the  several  states. 
James  Madison  and  Fisher  Ames  were  the  leading  party  antagonists.  Both 
were  orators  of  marked  ability,  but  in  different  ways.  Madison  was  the 
better  logician,  Ames  possessed  the  greater  imagination.  Madison  was 
profoundly  versed  in  domestic  concerns,  financial  and  political  economy. 
Ames  reasoned  from  principles  of  general  policy  and  constitutional  and 
international  jurisprudence.  Madison  was  the  older  by  six  years — Ames 
was  thirty-two.  With  Madison,  from  Virginia,  came  the  well-known  John 
Page,  afterwards  governor ;  Theodoric  Bland,  great-grandson  of  Poca- 
hontas,  who  was  a  poet  and  a  scholar  as  well  as  a  firm  patriot ;  Richard 
Bland  Lee,  one  of  those  who  subsequently  voted  for  locating  the  seat  of 
government  on  the  Potomac  ;  Isaac  Coles,  who  was  re-elected  for  six  years; 
Alexander  White,  a  racy  writer  and  a  brilliant  orator,  in  his  fifty-first  year, 
whose  letters  have  already  been  quoted  ;  Samuel  Griffin  ;  Andrew  Moore, 
who  served  ten  years;  and  Josiah  Parker.  From  South  Carolina  were 
Thomas  T.  Tucker,  Daniel  Huger,  and  Judge  Edanus  Burke.  From  Mary 
land  Daniel  Carroll,  Benjamin  Contee,  George  Gale,  William  Smith, 
Michael  Stone,  and  Joshua  Seney. 


12  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

The  Pennsylvania  delegation  included  George  Clymer,*  then  a  man  of 
fifty,  who  had  signed  both  the  Declaration  and  the  Constitution — a  highly 
educated,  refined,  and  conscientious  student,  but  a  very  diffident  speaker, 
of  fair  complexion,  ardent  attachments,  and  gentle  manners — whose  opin 
ions  when  expressed  were  always  treated  with  respect,  and  who  was  the 
delight  of  the  social  circle;  Thomas  Fitzsimmons,  president  of  the  Phila 
delphia  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  also  one  of  the  framers  of  the  Consti 
tution  ;  Frederick  Augustus  Muhlenberg,  soon  to  be  chosen  speaker  of  the 
House;  his  brother,  Peter  Muhlenberg ;  Daniel  Heister;  Thomas  Scott, 
and  Henry  Wynkoop,  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  1779-1783, 
who  was  noted  for  his  large  and  commanding  figure.  There  was  as  yet  no 
attendance  from  Delaware  or  North  Carolina.  From  Georgia  came  James 
Jackson  and  Abraham  Baldwin,  the  latter  a  young  Connecticut  lawyer  of 
thirty-four,  who  removed  to  Georgia,  at  the  request  of  General  Greene, 
about  1784.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Yale,  and  one  of  the  best  classical  and 
mathematical  scholars  of  the  age.  In  the  Georgia  legislature  he  origi 
nated  the  plan  of  the  state  university,  drew  up  the  charter  by  which  it 
was  endowed,  and  was  subsequently  its  president  for  some  years.  New 
Hampshire  sent  Nicholas  Gilman,  a  boyish-looking  but  very  talented 
young  man  of  twrenty-six,  who  had  served  in  the  old  Congress  and  helped 
to  frame  the  Constitution. 

The  quartet  from  New  Jersey  included  Elias  Boudinot,  the  distinguished 
philanthropist ;  Lambert  Cadwallader,  James  Schureman,  and  Thomas  Sin- 
nickson,  all  strong  men,  morally  as  well  as  politically. 

Connecticut  was  represented  by  a  notable  delegation  :  Roger  Sherman, 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  Jonathan  Sturges,  Benjamin  Huntington,  and  Jere 
miah  Wadsworth.  Roger  Sherman  was  sixty-seven,  the  oldest  member  of 
the  House,  and  no  one  had  had  a  broader  experience  in  legislation.  He 
was  sent  to  the  first  Continental  Congress  in  1774,  and  to  every  subsequent 
Congress  to  the  end  of  his  life.  He  was  the  only  American  statesman  who 
attached  his  name  to  the  entire  four  great  state  papers  which  gave  birth 
and  power  to  a  mighty  empire.  Trumbull  was  the  son  of  the  great  war 
governor  of  that  name,  was  forty-nine  years  of  age,  had  been  active  and 
influential  in  state  legislation,  a  paymaster  in  the  army,  and  secretary  and 
aid  to  Washington  and  a  member  of  his  household  at  one  time  for  three 
years.  He  was  subsequently  speaker  of  the  House,  a  senator,  and  gov 
ernor  of  Connecticut. 

*  George  Clymer  was  the  author  of  various  addresses*  and  essays,  political,  literary  and  scientific. 
His  grandson  Dr.  Meredith  Clymer,  born  in  Philadelphia  in  June,  1817,  also  wrote  with  great  ease, 
chiefly  on  medical  themes.  He  was»one  of  the  founders  of  the  Franklin  Medical  College  in  1846, 
and  after  removing  to  New  York  in  1851,  was  professor  of  medicine  in  the  University  of  the  city  of 
New  York,  and  twice  President  of  the  New  York  Society  of  Neurology. 


THE    INAUGURATION    OF   WASHINGTON,    1789  13 

Massachusetts  was  not  behind  Connecticut  in  the  quality  of  her  dele 
gation.  Fisher  Ames,  Elbridge  Gerry,  George  Thacher,  George  Leonard, 
Jonathan  Grant,  Benjamin  Goodhue,  and  George  Partridge  were  present. 
Elbridge  Gerry,  as  all  remember,  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration, 
and  he  was  in  the  convention  that  framed  the  Constitution,  but  refused 
to  affix  his  name  to  the  instrument.  He  was  a  small,  slight,  urbane  man 
of  forty-four,  a  master  in  all  questions  of  commerce  and  of  finance,  but 
decidedly  anti-Federal.  He  claimed,  however,  to  be  neutral  and  impar 
tial  between  the  two  parties,  which  course  was  criticised  and  denounced 
by  Thacher,  who  was  a  celebrated  wit,  and  who  made  his  sensitive  col 
league  the  perpetual  victim  of  daring  humor  and  biting  sarcasm. 

The  New  York  representatives  were  all  men  of  mark.*  Egbert  Ben 
son,  the  eminent  jurist,  who  had  been  conspicuous  in  furthering  the 
measures  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a  general  government, 
was  one  of  the  leaders  among  them,  and  his  colleagues  were  William 
Floyd,  who  signed  the  Declaration,  John  Lawrence,  a  man  of  fine 
address  and  great  personal  popularity,  John  Hathorn,  subsequently  a  sen 
ator  and  Presidential  elector,  and  Judge  Peter  Sylvester,  who  had  been 
in  the  provincial  Congress.  It  must  have  been  a  source  of  keen  regret  to 
such  of  the  members  of  this  Congress  as  were  unable,  for  one  cause  or 
another,  to  reach  their  posts  of  duty  prior  to  the  great  occasion. 

On  the  1 3th  of  April,  as  recorded  in  the  journals  of  Congress,  Egbert 
Benson,  from  New  York,  Peter  Muhlenberg,  from  Pennsylvania,  and 
Samuel  Griffin,  from  Virginia,  were  appointed  a  committee  on  the  recep 
tion  of  the  President. 

On  the  1 5th,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

"  That  Mr.  Osgood,  the  proprietor  of  the  house  lately  occupied  by  the  President  of 
Congress,  be  requested  to  put  the  same,  and  the  furniture  therein,  in  proper  condition  for 
the  residence  and  use  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  otherwise,  at  the  expense 
of  the  United  States,  to  provide  for  his  temporary  accommodation. 

That  3  members  of  the  Senate  [Richard  Henry  Lee,  Ralph  Izard,  Tristam  Dalton,] 
and  5  from  the  house  [Elias  Boudinot,  Theodoric  Bland, Thomas  T.  Tucker,  Egbert  Benson, 
John  Lawrence,]  be  appointed  to  attend  the  President  from  New  Jersey,  and  conduct  him 
without  form  to  the  house  in  New  York  lately  occupied  by  the  President  of  Congress." 

This  house  stood  -in  what  is  now  Franklin  Square,  corner  of  Cherry 
street,  near  the  present  publishing  house  of  Harper  &  Brothers.  But  a 
hundred  years  ago  it  was  esteemed  so  far  out  into  the  country  that  many 
objections  were  raised  to  its  being  used  as  a  Presidential  residence.  It 

*  Egbert  Benson  was  born  in  1746,  and  was  one  of  the  graduates  of  King's  College  in  1765,  and 
became  distinguished  for  eloquence  as  a  pleader  at  the  bar,  and  for  legal  learning.  He  was  the  first 
attorney-general  of  the  state,  and  the  first  president  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society. 


1 4  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

was  a  charming  place  in  summer,  overlooking  the  bay  and  Long  Island, 
with  bits  of  East  River  peeping  through  the  foliage  of  its  gardens,  while 
towards  the  west  and  northwest  the  stretches  of  landscape  were  varied 
with  sunny  slopes,  circles  of  small  hills  and  beautiful  valleys.  This  house 
had  been  previously  occupied  by  the  president  of  Congress,  its  owner, 
Samuel  Osgood,  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  treasury — subsequently 
postmaster-general — having  vacated  it  temporarily  for  the  benefit  of  the 
government. 

The  "  Washington  chair  "  which  graces  the  platform  of  the  audience- 
room  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  and  is  occupied  by  its  president 
on  public  occasions,  was  made  from  the  wood  of  this  house.  It  was  a 
gift  to  the  society,  in  1857,  from  Mr.  Benjamin  R.  Winthrop,  of  New  York. 
A  bust  of  Washington,  in  a  wreath  of  laurel,  forms  the  centre  ornament 
of  the  upper  part  of  the  chair.  The  front  of  the  seat  bears  the  escutcheon 
and  arms  of  the  United  States,  while  the  arms  of  the  city  and  state  of 
New  York  are  carved  in  relief  on  medallions.  The  legend  is  inscribed  on 
a  silver  plate,  inserted  in  the  back  of  the  chair. 

On  one  of  these  early  days  in  April,  John  Armstrong  wrote  from  New- 
York  to  General  Gates:  "  All  the  world  here  are  busy  in  collecting  flow 
ers  and  sweets  of  every  kind  to  amuse  and  delight  the  President  in  his 
approach  and  on  his  arrival.  Even  Roger  Sherman  has  set  his  head  at 
work  to  devise  some  style  of  address  more  novel  and  dignified  than 
1  Excellency.'  Yet  in  the  midst  of  this  admiration  there  are  skeptics  who 
doubt  its  propriety,  and  wits  who  amuse  themselves  at  its  extravagance." 
How  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  new  America  should  be  addressed  was 
indeed  a  conundrum  !  The  question  was  no  sooner  propounded  than  it 
was  discussed  everywhere,  on  the  street,  in  business  and  in  social  circles, 
in  the  halls  of  legislation,  and  in  the  newspapers.  It  enlivened  a  dinner 
party  one  day  in  Philadelphia,  at  which  were  present  James  Madison,  John 
Page,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  and  other  distinguished  characters.  Chief 
Justice  McKean,  the  master  of  the  feast,  maintained  with  much  warmth 
that  the  President  must  have  a  title,  and  that  he  had  examined  all  the 
titles  of  the  princes  of  Europe  to  find  one  that  had  not  been  appropriated. 
Madison  held  quite  an  opposite  opinion,  and  argued  that  no  title  except 
that  of  "  President  "  would  be  necessary.  Congress  took  the  matter  up, 
but  a  joint  committee  from  the  two  houses  were  unable  to  agree.  Thus 
the  problem  was  left  unsolved  until  the  pleasure  of  Washington  himself 
should  become  known. 

Meanwhile  the  chieftain's  journey  towards  New  York  from  Virginia 
was  like  one  continuous  triumphal  procession.  Cities,  towns,  and  villages 


THE   INAUGURATION    OF    WASHINGTON,    1/89 


vied  with  each  other  in  doing  him  honor.  Men,  women,  and  children  of 
all  ages,  classes,  and  conditions  gathered  by  the  roadside,  and  often  stood 
in  waiting  for  many  hours  to  see  him  as  he  passed  by.  Their  love  was 
manifested  in  countless  impulsive  ways — sometimes  by  shouts,  and  then 
again  by  tears.  Old  men,  who  had  left  their  plows  in  the  field  and  tramped 
over  the  hills  and  through 
the  valleys  from  distant 
settlements,  broke  down 
when  he  appeared  and 
sobbed  like  children. 
Mothers  brought  their  in 
fant  babes  from  afar,  and 
held  them  high  above  their 
own  heads,  so  that  they 
might  say  in  after  life  that 
they  had  actually  seen  the 
great  Washington  with 
their  little  eyes  !  The  sick 
and  the  aged  were  tenderly 
carried  to  windows  and 
doors,  that  they  too  might 
behold  the  "  savior  of  their 
country."  The  excitement 
and  the  sentiment  spread 
like  a  contagion.  Soldiers 
were  paraded  in  the  towns 
through  which  he  was  to 
pass  with  as  much  apparent 
promptitude  as  if  railroads 
and  the  telegraph  had  al 
ready  been  invented.  Guns 
were  fired,  triumphal  arches 
were  erected,  not  infre 
quently  stretched  from  tree 
to  tree  in  rural  districts,  and 

flowers  were  strewn  in  the  roads  over  which  his  carnage  was  to  pass.  It 
was  the  general  outburst  of  the  warmest  and  most  devoted  attachment  of  a 
loyal  people.  At  Gray's  Ferry,  across  the  Schuylkill,  the  President-elect 
was  escorted  through  long  avenues  of  laurels,  transplanted  from  the  forests 
for  the  occasion,  bridged  overhead  with  arches  of  laurel  branches.  As  he 


THE    WASHINGTON    CHAIR. 


l6.  THE   INAUGURATION   OF  WASHINGTON,    1789 

passed  under  the  last  arch  a  beautiful  civic  crown  of  laurel  was  ingeniously 
dropped  upon  his  head  from  above,  greatly  to  his  surprise,  and  the  most 
deafening  shouts  arose  from  the  immense  multitude.  At  Trenton  a  mag 
nificent  triumphal  arch  had  been  erected,  and  above  it  the  date  of  his 
victory  at  Trenton  in  gold  lettering,  around  which  flowers  were  grace 
fully  entwined  ;  and,  as  he  passed  under  this,  thirteen  lovely  young  girls 
in  white  stepped  in  ahead,  and  marched  before  him  singing  an  appropri 
ate  ode,  while  at  the  same  time  they  scattered  flowers  in  his  pathway  in 
great  profusion  from  baskets  which  they  carried  on  their  arms.  It  was 
a  lovely,  graceful  tribute,  and  Washington  was  very  much  touched  by  it. 

During  these  same  long-to-be-remembered  days  John  Adams,  the  Vice- 
President-elect,  was  approaching  New  York  from  New  England.  "  On 
Monday,  the  2Oth  of  April,"  says  one  of  the  writers  of  the  day,  "  amidst 
the  acclamations  of  all  ranks  of  citizens,  His  Excellency,  John  Adams, 
Esq.,  Vice-President  of  the  United  States,  arrived  in  New  York.  The 
cavalcade  which  escorted  His  Excellency  into  the  city  was  numerous 
and  truly  respectable.  From  the  Connecticut  line  to  Kingsbridge  he 
was  attended  by  the  light  horse  of  West  Chester  County,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Major  Pintard.  At  Kingsbridge  he  was  met  by  General  Malcom 
with  the  officers  of  his  brigade,  and  the  city  troop  of  horse,  commanded 
by  Captain  Stakes  ;  also  by  officers  of  distinction,  many  members  of  Con 
gress,  and  a  large  number  of  citizens  in  carriages  and  on  horseback. 
His  Excellency  alighted  at  the  home  of  the  Honorable  John  Jay,  in 
Broadway,  where  the  committee  of  both  houses  of  Congress,  appointed 
for  that  purpose,  attended  to  congratulate  His  Excellency  on  his  arrival." 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  custom  of  addressing  a  man  in  high 
office  as  "  His  Excellency,"  had  not  yet  been  abolished,  as  the  title  is 
used  four  times  in  this  one  paragraph.  But  the  next  day,  when  a  com 
mittee  from  trie  senate,  consisting  of  Caleb  Strong  and  Ralph  Izard,  con 
ducted  Mr.  Adams  to  the  senate  chamber,  he  was  received  by  John  Lang- 
don,  the  president  pro  tern.,  with  graceful  courtesy,  and  introduced  to  the 
chair  and  the  senate  simply  as  "  Vice-President  of  the  United  States  of 
America." 

New  York  was  astir  early  on  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  April  23, 
and  the  booming  of  cannon  and  the  ringing  of  bells  proclaimed  the  glad 
tidings  that  Washington  was  in  Elizabethtown.  Business  was  entirely 
suspended,  and  the  excitement  was  intense.  At  Elizabethtown  Point  the 
President-elect  was  received,  as  previously  arranged,  by  the  committee 
from  Congress,  of  which  Elias  Boudinot  was  chairman,  and  by  the  heads 
of  the  departments  under  the  confederation — who  continued  to  act  until 


THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789  I/ 

the  new  government  should  be  organized — John  Jay,  Secretary  of  Foreign 
Affairs,  General  Knox,  Secretary  of  War,  Robert  R.  Livingston,  chancellor 
of  the  state  of  New  York,  Samuel  Osgood,  Arthur  Lee,  and  Walter  Liv 
ingston,  commissioners  of  the  treasury,  Ebenezer  Hazard,  postmaster- 
general — and  by  the  mayor  and  recorder  of  the  city.  An  extraordinary 
barge,  constructed  for  the  specific  purpose,  was  in  waiting  for  its  distin 
guished  passenger,  manned  by  thirteen  masters  of  vessels  in  white  uni 
forms,  and  commanded  by  Commodore  James  Nicholson.  In  this  Wash 
ington  was  conveyed  to  the  Capital.  As  it  moved  slowly  from  the  Jer 
sey  shore  other  barges  fancifully  decorated  fell  into  line.  The  glittering 
procession  glided  through  the  narrow  strait  between  New  Jersey  and 
Staten  Island,  when,  as  if  by  magic,  dozens  of  boats,  gay  with  flags  and 
streamers,  dropped  into  its  wake  ;  and  as  it  was  passing  Bedlow's  Island  a 
sloop  under  full  sail  came  alongside  the  President's  barge,  upon  which 
were  twenty-five  ladies  and  gentlemen  singing  an  ode  composed  for  the 
occasion  to  the  stirring  music  of  "  God  Save  the  King."  Another  and  a 
smaller  vessel  was  presently  on  the  other  side  of  the  barge,  distributing 
sheets  of  a  second  ode,  written  to  welcome  the  great  chief  to  the  seat  of 
government,  and  which  a  group  of  a  dozen  gentlemen  commenced  singing 
with  great  effect.  Every  vessel  was  in  holiday  attire  ;  the  Spanish  ship 
of  war,  Galveston,  just  as  the  barge  came  abreast  of  her,  displayed,  instan 
taneously,  every  flag  and  signal  known  among  nations.  All  the  vessels 
saluted  the  barge  as  it  passed,  and  bands  of  music  on  every  side,  and  per 
petual  huzzas  filled  the  air,  while  over  the  whole  exhilarating  scene  the 
sunshine  fell  from  cloudless  heavens. 

Governor  George  Clinton,  of  New  York,  received  the  President-elect  at 
the  ferry  stairs,  which  were  carpeted  and  the  rails  hung  with  crimson, 
and  as  Washington's  tall  figure  was  seen  ascending  them,  and  his  foot 
touched  the  shore  of  the  flourishing  city  which  his  own  valor  and  military 
skill  had  recovered  from  a  powerful  enemy,  popular  enthusiasm  reached 
its  climax.  The  wildest  and  the  most  prolonged  cheers  rent  the  air.  Men 
shouted  until  they  lost  their  voices.  The  crowds  were  so  densely  packed 
that  it  required  a  large  force  of  city  officers  to  make  a  passage  for  Wash 
ington  and  his  party.  Colonel  Morgan  Lewis,  aided  by  Majors  Morton  and 
Van  Home,  led  the  way,  and  the  various  regiments  were  followed  by  the 
officers  of  the  militia,  two  and  two,  the  committee  of  Congress,  the  Presi 
dent-elect  with  Governor  Clinton,  the  heads  of  the  Departments,  the 
mayor  and  aldermen  of  the  city,  the  clergy,  the  foreign  ministers,  and  an 
immense  concourse  of  citizens.  Every  house  on  the  route  was  decorated 
with  banners,  garlands  of  flowers,  and  evergreens.  Every  window,  to  the 


1 8  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

highest  story,  was  filled  with  fair  women  and  brave  men.  Every  inanimate 
object  seemed  alive  with  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs  and  hats.  Flowers 
fell  in  the  streets,  apparently  from  the  skies,  like  snow-flakes  in  a  blizzard. 
In  every  possible  form  of  unique  device  and  ingenious  ornamentation  the 
the  name  of  WASHINGTON  was  suspended  from  roof  to  roof,  and  upon 
fanciful  arches  constructed  for  the  occasion.  The  multitude  cheered  and 
shouted,  and  the  bells  and  the  guns  caught  up  the  echoes,  and  with  cease 
less  clamor  and  deafening  din  proclaimed  the  universal  rapture. 

Upon  reaching  the  Franklin  House,  Washington  despite  the  fatigue  of 
his  journey,  expressed  his  willingness  to  receive  such  gentlemen  as  had 
expressed  a  desire  to  show  their  respect  in  the  most  affectionate  manner. 
He  stood  in  the  great  drawing-room  of  his  new  home  and  was  welcomed 
and  congratulated  by  foreign  ministers,  political  characters,  public  bodies, 
military  celebrities,  and  many  private  citizens  of  distinction.  u  And  then," 
wrote  Elias  Boudinot,  "we  dined  with  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton, 
who  had  provided  an  elegant  dinner  for  us.  Thus  ended  our  commission.'* 
In  the  evening  the  entire  city  was  brilliantly  illuminated. 

The  six  days  between  Washington's  arrival  and  his  inauguration  were 
devoted  to  the  perfection  of  arrangements  for  the  imposing  ceremonies  of 
his  inauguration.  We  find  in  the  journal  of  the  House  the  following 
entries : 

"  April  24.  The  committee  reported  that  they  had  attended  the  President  from  Elizabeth- 
town  yesterday  to  this  city,  where  they  arrived  at  3  o'clock,  P.M.,  and  conducted  him  to 
the  house  appointed  for  his  residence. 

April  25.  The  house  appointed  Mr.  Egbert  Benson,  Mr.  Fisher  Ames  and  Mr.  Charles 
Carroll  a  committee  to  act  with  the  senate  committee  on  the  inauguration." 

In  the  journal  of  the  Senate  it  is  recorded: 

"Senate,  April  23,  1789.  A  committee  appointed  of  three  members  (Mr.  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  Mr.  Ralph  Izard  and  Mr.  Tristam  Dalton)  to  consider  the  time,  place  and  man 
ner  in  which,  and  the  person  by  whom,  the  oath  presented  by  the  Constitution  shall  be 
administered  to  the  President,  and  to  confer  with  a  committee  of  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives. 

Saturday,  April  25.  The  committee  report  that  the  President  hath  been  pleased  to 
signify  to  them,  that  any  time  or  place  which  both  houses  may  think  proper  to  appoint, 
and  any  manner  which  shall  appear  most  eligible  to  them,  will  be  convenient  and  accept 
able  to  him,  that  requisite  preparations  cannot  probably  be  made  before  Thursday  next 
(April  30),  that  the  President  be  on  that  day  formally  received  by  both  houses  in  the  Sen 
ate  Chamber,  that  the  Representatives'  Chamber  being  capable  of  receiving  the  greater 
number  of  persons,  that,  therefore,  the  President  do  take  the  oath  in  that  place,  and  in  the 
presence  of  both  houses. 


THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1/89  19 

That,  after  the  formal  reception  of  the  President  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  he  be 
attended  by  both  houses  to  the  Representatives'  Chamber,  and  that  the  oath  be  adminis 
tered  by  the  Chancellor  of  the  state  of  New  York.  That  a  committee  of  both  houses  be 
appointed  to  take  order  for  conducting  the  business.  Mr.  Lee.  Mr.  Izard  and  Mr.  Dalton 
were  appointed  such  committee  on  behalf  of  the  senate. 

The  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost  was  elected  chaplain  to  Congress. 

Monday,  April  27.  The  committee  reported  that  it  appears  to  them  more  eligible 
that  the  oath  should  be  administered  to  the  President  in  the  outer  gallery  adjoining  the 
Senate  Chamber  than  in  the  Representatives'  Chamber.  Approved. 

Resolved,  That  after  the  oath  shall  have  been  administered  to  the  President,  he, 
attended  by  the  Vice-President,  and  the  members  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representa 
tives,  proceed  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  to  hear  divine  service,  to  be  performed  by  the  chaplain  of 
Congress  already  appointed." 

Meanwhile  the  city  opened  its  doors  for  the  entertainment  of  guests 
from  every  part  of  the  Union.  The  crush  was  bewildering.  New  York 
had  never  before  housed  and  sheltered  a  gathering  of  such  magnitude. 
And  thousands  were  neither  housed  nor  sheltered,  content  to  camp  in 
vacant  lots,  on  the  curb  stones,  or  in  the  fields  above  the  city.  Miss 
Bertha  Ingersoll  wrote  to  Miss  McKean,  of  Philadelphia,  "  We  shall 
remain  here  if  we  have  to  sleep  in  tents,  as  many  will  have  to  do.  Mr. 
Williamson  had  promised  to  engage  us  rooms  at  Fraunces'  Tavern,  but 
that  was  jammed  long  ago,  as  was  every  other  decent  public  house  ;  and 
now  while  we  are  waiting  at  Mrs.  Vandervoort's  in  Maiden  Lane,  until  after 
dinner,  two  of  our  beaux  are  running  about  town,  determined  to  obtain 
the  best  places  for  us  to  stay  at  which  can  be  opened  for  love,  money,  or 
the  most  persuasive  speeches."  Another  young  lady,  from  Boston,  wrote 
a  graphic  description  of  a  series  of  accidents  on  her  journey  from  that  city 
to  New  York,  with  her  picturesque  adventures  in  finding  accommodations 
in  the  metropolis,  and  added  :  "  but  I  have  seen  him  !  and  though  I  had 
been  entirely  ignorant  that  he  was  arrived  in  the  city,  I  should  have  known 
at  a  glance  that  it  was  General  Washington  ;  I  never  saw  a  human  being 
that  looked  so  grand  and  noble  as  he  does.  I  could  fall  down  on  my 
knees  before  him  and  bless  him  for  all  the  good  he  has  done  for  this 
country." 

This  feeling  seemed  to  be  universal.  Everybody  struggled  for  a 
glimpse  of  the  great  general.  The  aged  declared  their  readiness  to  die  if 
they  could  but  once  behold  his  face.  The  young  were  intoxicated  with 
infatuation. 

On  the  29th  the  committee  reported  their  scheme  for  the  conduct  of 
the  inaugural  ceremonies  on  the  3Oth,  which  proving  satisfactory,  a  few 
copies  were  printed  on  foolscap  sheets  for  the  convenience  of  those  par- 


20  THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

ticipating.  One  of  these  has  been  preserved  and  is  now  the  property  of 
the  New  York  Historical  Society,  through  whose  courtesy  it  is  given  ver 
batim  to  our  readers  as  an  illustration  of  the  significance  with  which 
details  were  regarded  at  that  period. 

"April  29th,  1789.  The  committees  of  both  houses  of  Congress,  appointed  to  take 
order  for  conducting  the  ceremonial  of  the  formal  reception,  &c.,  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  on  Thursday  next,  have  agreed  to  the  following  order  thereon,  viz.  : 

That  General  Webb,  Colonel  Smith,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fish,  Lieut.  Col.  Franks, 
Major  L'Enfant,  Major  Bleecker,  and  Mr.  John  R.  Livingston,  be  requested  to  serve  as 
assistants  on  the  occasion. 

That  a  chair  be  placed  in  the  Senate  Chamber  for  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
That  a  chair  be  placed  in  the  Senate  Chamber  for  the  Vice-President,  to  the  right  of  the 
President's  chair  ;  and  that  the  Senators  take  their  seats  on  that  side  of  the  chamber  on 
which  the  Vice-President's  chair  shall  be  placed.  That  a  chair  be  placed  in  the  Senate 
Chamber  for  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  to  the  left  of  the  President's 
chair — and  that  the  Representatives  take  their  seats  on  that  side  of  the  chamber  on  which 
the  Speaker's  chair  shall  be  placed. 

That  seats  be  provided  in  the  Senate  Chamber  sufficient  to  accommodate  the  late 
president  of  Congress,  the  governor  of  the  Western  territory,  the  five  persons  being  the 
heads  of  three  great  departments,  the  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  France,  the  Encargado 
de  negocios  of  Spain,  the  chaplains  of  Congress,  the  persons  in  the  suite  of  the  President, 
and  also  to  accommodate  the  following  Public  Officers  of  the  State,  viz.  :  The  Governor, 
the  Lieutenant-Governor,  the  Chancellor,  the  Chief  Justice,  and  other  judges  of  the  Su 
preme  Court,  and  the  Mayor  of  the  city.  That  one  of  the  assistants  wait  on  these  gentle 
men,  and  inform  them  that  seats  are  provided  for  their  accommodation,  and  also  to  signify 
to  them  that  no  precedence  of  seats  is  intended,  and  that  no  salutation  is  expected  from 
them  on  their  entrance  into,  or  their  departure  from,  the  Senate  Chamber. 

That  the  members  of  both  houses  assemble  in  their  respective  Chambers  precisely  at 
twelve  o'clock,  and  that  the  representatives  preceded  by  the  Speaker,  and  attended  by 
their  clerk,  and  other  officers,  proceed  to  the  Senate  Chamber,  there  to  be  received  by 
the  Vice-President  and  the  senators  rising. 

That  the  Committees  attend  the  President  from  his  residence  to  the  Senate  Chamber, 
and  that  he  be  there  received  by  the  Vice-President,  the  senators  and  representatives 
rising,  and  be  by  the  Vice-President  conducted  to  his  chair. 

That  after  the  President  shall  be  seated  in  his  chair,  and  the  Vice-President,  senators 
and  representatives  shall  be  again  seated,  the  Vice-President  shall  announce  to  the  Presi 
dent,  that  the  members  of  both  houses  will  attend  him  to  be  present  at  his  taking  the 
Oath  of  Office  required  by  the  Constitution.  To  the  end  that  the  Oath  of  Office  may  be 
administered  to  the  President  in  the  most  public  manner,  and  that  the  greatest  number 
of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  and  without  distinction,  may  be  witnesses  to  the 
solemnity,  that  therefore  the  Oath  be  administered  in  the  outer  gallery  adjoining  to  the 
Senate  Chamber. 

That  when  the  President  shall  proceed  to  the  gallery  to  take  the  Oath,  he  be  attended 
by  the  Vice-President,  and  be  followed  by  the  Chancellor  of  the  State,  and  pass  through 
the  middle  door,  that  the  Senators  pass  through  the  door  on  the  right,  and  the  Represen- 


THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789  21 

tatives,  preceded  by  the  Speaker,  pass  through  the  door  on  the  left,  and  such  of  the  per 
sons  who  shall  have  been  admitted  into  the  Senate  Chamber,  and  may  be  desirous  to  go 
into  the  gallery,  are  then  also  to  pass  through  the  door  on  the  right.  That  when  the 
President  shall  have  taken  the  Oath,  and  returned  into  the  Senate  Chamber,  attended  by 
the  Vice-President,  and  shall  be  seated  in  his  chair,  that  the  Senators  and  the  Represen 
tatives  also  return  into  the  Senate  Chamber,  and  that  the  Vice-President  and  they  resume 
their  respective  seats. 

Both  houses  having  resolved  to  accompany  the  President  after  he  shall  have  taken  the 
Oath,  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel,  to  hear  divine  service,  to  be  performed  by  the  chaplain  of  Con 
gress,  that  the  following  order  of  procession  be  observed,  viz.  The  door-keeper  and 
messenger  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  The  clerk  of  the  House.  The  Representa 
tives.  The  Speaker.  The  President,  with  the  Vice-President  at  his  left  hand.  The  Sen 
ators.  The  Secretary  of  the  Senate.  The  door-keeper,  and  messenger  of  the  Senate. 

That  a  pew  be  reserved  for  the  President— Vice-President— Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  and  the  Committees  ;  and  that  pews  be  also  reserved  sufficient  for  the 
reception  of  the  Senators  and  Representatives 

That  after  divine  service  shall  be  performed,  the  President  be  received  at  the  door  of 
the  Church,  by  the  Committees,  and  by  them  attended  in  carriages  to  his  residence. 

That  it  be  intrusted  to  the  assistants  to  take  proper  precautions  for  keeping  the  ave 
nues  to  the  Hall  open,  and  that  for  that  purpose,  they  wait  on  his  Excellency  the  Governor 
of  this  State,  and  in  the  name  of  the  Committees  request  his  aid,  by  an  order  of 
recommendation  to  the  Civil  Officers,  or  militia  of  the  city,  to  attend  and  serve  on  the 
occasion,  as  he  shall  judge  most  proper." 

A  national  salute  ushered  in  the  morning  of  April  30.  At  nine  o'clock 
the  bells  peeled  merrily  from  every  steeple  in  the  city — then  softened  sud 
denly,  and  in  slow  measured  tones  summoned  the  people  to  the  churches, 
showing  how  general  was  the  religious  sense  of  the  importance  of  the 
occasion.  From  one  of  the  newspapers  of  the  day  we  clip  the  following 
paragraph : 

"  April  30.  We  have  had  this  clay  one  of  those  impressive  sights  which  dignify  and 
adorn  human  nature.  At  nine  o'clock  all  the  churches  in  the  city  were  opened,  and  the 
people  in  prodigious  numbers  thronged  these  sacred  temples— and  with  one  voice  put  up 
their  prayers  to  Almighty  God  for  the  safety  of  the  President." 

At  the  close  of  these  solemn  exercises,  just  as  the  people  were  leaving 
the  churches,  the  procession  formed,  the  military  marching  from  their 
respective  quarters  with  inspiring  music  and  unfurled  banners  to  Franklin 
Square,  where  they  halted  in  front  of  the  Presidential  mansion.  One  of 
the  newspapers  records : 

"  About  twelve  o'clock  the  procession  moved  from  the  house  of  the  President,  in 
Cherry  street,  through  Queen,  Great  Dock  and  Broad  streets  to  the  Federal  State  House 
in  Wall  street  in  the  following  order  : 


22  THE   INAUGURATION    OF   WASHINGTON,    1/89 

Col.  MORGAN  LEWIS, 
Attended  by  two  officers. 

Capt.  STAKES, 
With  the  Troop  of  Horse. 

Artillery. 

Maj.  VAN  HORNE. 
Grenadiers,  under  Capt.  HARSIN." 

These,  in  imitation  of  the  guard  of  the  great  Frederick,  were  composed 
of  the  tallest  and  finest-looking  young  men  of  New  York,  and  they  were 
dressed  in  blue  coats  with  red  facings  and  gold  lace  embroideries,  cocked 
hats  with  white  feathers,  and  white  waistcoats  and  breeches,  and  black 
spatterdashes  buttoned  close  from  the  shoe  to  the  knee. 

"  German  Grenadiers,  very  gayly  attired,  under  Capt.  SCRIBA. 

Major  BICKER. 

The  Infantry  of  the  Brigade. 

Major  CHRYSLIE. 

Sheriff. 
Committee  of  the  Senate. 

President-elect,  \ 

Assistants,  -j  In  a  chariot  drawn  by  four  horses.  I  Assistants.    [ 

His    Suite.  )  ? 

o> 

J    55 
Committee  of  the  Representatives. 

Hon.  Mr.  JAY,  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs. 
Gen.  KNOX,  Secretary  of  War. 

Chancellor  LIVINGSTON. 
Several  gentlemen  of  distinction." 

When  within  a  proper  distance  of  the  Federal  Hall  the  troops  formed 
a  line  on  both  sides  of  the  way,  and  having  alighted,  Washington  passed 
through  and  was  conducted  to  the  senate  chamber  in  the  ceremonious 
manner  described  in  the  programme. 

Vice-President  Adams  said,  "  Sir,  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives  of  the  United  States  are  ready  to  attend  you  to  take  the  oath 
required  by  the  Constitution,  which  will  be  administered  by  the  chancellor 
of  the  state  of  New  York." 

"  I  am  ready  to  proceed,"  was  Washington's  reply. 

The  Vice-President  then  conducted  Washington  to  the  balcony,  the  gen 
tlemen  accompanying  in  the  order  prescribed.  From  this  point,  Broad  and 
Wall  streets,  in  each  direction,  was  a  compact  mass  of  upturned  faces,  as 
silent  as  if  every  living  form  which  composed  the  vast  assemblage  had  been 


THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789  23 

a  statue  carved  in  stone.  The  windows  and  house  tops  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach  were  also  crowded  with  people.  They  saw  Washington's  com 
manding  figure  appear  in  the  centre  of  a  group  of  statesmen  between  the 
two  pillars,  clad  in  a  complete  suit  of  elegant  broadcloth  of  American 
manufacture,  with  white  silk  stockings,  also  a  native  production,  plain 
silver  buckles  in  his  shoes,  his  head  uncovered,  and  his  powdered  hair 
gathered  and  tied  in  the  prevailing  fashion  of  the  day.  He  stepped  upon 
a  stone,  slightly  elevated  above  those  about  him.  On  one  side  of  him 
was  Chancellor  Livingston,  nearly  as  tall  as  himself,  on  the  other  Vice- 
Pres^ident  Adams,  more  showily  dressed  than  either,  and  like  Washington 
entirely  in  American  fabrics.  Samuel  A.  Otis,,  the  secretary  of  the  senate, 


CENTRAL   SECTION    OF   THE    HISTORIC    RAILING. 

[From  the  original  in  possession  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society.} 

stood  partially  between  Washington  and  the  chancellor,  holding  an  open 
Bible  upon  a  rich  crimson  cushion,  upon  which  Washington  rested  his 
hand.  In  the  rear,  conspicuous  among  those  who  were  dear  and  familiar 
to  the  people,  stood  Secretary  John  Jay,  who  had  done  so  much  towards 
bringing  about  this  grand  result,  a  tall  slight  man  whose  face  and  attitude 
expressed  the  calm  serenity  and  refined  power  of  the  highest  type  of 
character;  the  brave  General  Knox,  who  so  well  understood  the  man  whom 
the  country  delighted  to  honor  ;  Baron  Steuben,  Alexander  Hamilton, 
Governor  St.  Clair  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  Roger  Sherman,  and  all 
that  army  of  Congressional  celebrities  heretofore  mentioned.  A  gesture 
of  the  chancellor  arrested  the  close  attention  of  the  vast  assemblage  as  he 
pronounced  slowly  and  distinctly  the  words  of  the  oath.  Then  the  Bible 


24  THE   INAUGURATION    OF   WASHINGTON,    1/89 

was  raised,  and  as  the  President  bowed  to  kiss  the  sacred  volume  he  said 
audibly,  "  I  swear,"  adding  with  fervor,  his  eyes  closed,  that  his  whole 
soul  might  be  absorbed  in  the  supplication,  "  SO  HELP  ME  GOD." 

"It  is  done,"  said  the  chancellor;  then  turning  to  the  multitude,  he 
waved  his  hand,  crying  in  a  loud  voice, 

"  Long  live  George  Washington,  President  of  the  United  States/' 

Silence  was  at  an  end.  A  flag  was  instantly  displayed  on  the  cupola 
of  Federal  Hall,  and  all  the  bells  in  the  city  broke  forth  in  one  tumultuous 
clamor.  Shouts  and  acclamations  burst  from  the  waiting  thousands,  and 
repeated  again  and  again  like  the  cuckoo  song,  were  answered  and  re- 
answered  by  cannon  from  .every  point  of  the  compass  upon  both  land 
and  upon  water,  until  it  seemed  as  if  the  city  would  be  jarred  from  its 
actual  foundations. 

Even  now  at  the  end  of  a  century,  who  among  us,  however  prosaic, 
can  be  brought  into  a  close  review  of  this  creative  epoch  in  the  history  of 
our  nation  and  of  the  nations  of  the  world  without  a  draught  from  the 
same  ecstatic  fountain  of  emotion  ? 

Washington  with  his  attendants  returned  to  the  senate  chamber,  where 
after  Congress  and  the  other  dignitaries  present  were  seated,  he  delivered 
a  short  inaugural  address.  After  this  the  new  President,  accompanied  by 
both  houses  of  Congress  and  the  heads  of  the  Departments,  and  many 
other  distinguished  characters,  proceeded  on  foot  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in 
Broadway,  where  divine  service  was  performed  by  Bishop  Provost,  at  the 
conclusion  of  which  the  President  was  escorted  to  his  own  house. 

Fisher  Ames,  in  writing  to  Mr.  Minot  in  Boston  a  few  days  afterward, 
said : 

"I  was  present  in  the  pew  with  the  President,  and  must  assure  you  that,  after  making 
all  deductions  for  the  delusion  of  one's  fancy  in  regard  to  characters,  I  still  think  of  him 
with  more  veneration  than  for  any  other  person.  Time  has  made  havoc  upon  his  face. 
That,  and  many  other  circumstances  not  to  be  reasoned  about,  conspire  to  keep  up  the 
awe  which  I  brought  with  me.  He  addressed  the  two  houses  in  the  senate  chamber;  it 
was  a  very  touching  scene,  and  quite  of  the  solemn  kind  ;  his  aspect  grave,  almost  to  sad 
ness  ;  his  modesty,  actually  shaking  ;  his  voice  deep,  a  little  tremulous,  and  so  low  as  to 
call  for  close  attention  ;  added  to  the  series  of  objects  presented  to  the  mind,  and  over 
whelming  it,  produced  emotions  of  the  most  affecting  kind  upon  the  members.  I,  Pilgar- 
lic,  sat  entranced.  It  seemed  to  me  an  allegory  in  which  virtue  was  personified,  and 
addressing  those  whom  she  would  make  her  votaries.  Her  power  over  the  heart  was 
never  greater,  and  the  illustration  of  her  doctrine  by  her  own  example  was  never  more 
perfect." 

In  the  evening  the  city  was  illuminated  with  unparalleled  splendor. 
Every  public  building  was  in  a  blaze  of  light.  The  front  of  the  little 


THE    INAUGURATION    OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 


Ev&Ai 


theatre  in  John  street 
was  filled  with  trans 
parencies,  one  of  which 
represented  Fame  like 
an  angel,  descending 
from  Heaven  to  crown 
Washington  with  the 
emblems  of  immortal 
ity.  At  the  Bowling 
Green  was  an  enormous 
transparency,  with 
Washington's  portrait 
in  the  centre,  under  a 
figure  of  "  Fortitude," 
and  the  two  branches 
of  the  new  government 
represented  upon  his 
right  and  left,  under  the 
forms  of  JUSTICE  and 
WISDOM.  All  the  pri 
vate  residences  of  the 
city  were  brilliantly 
1  i  ght  e  d,  but  none 
more  effectively  than 
those  of  the  French  and 
Spanish  ministers,  who 
seemed  to  have  tried  to 
rival  each  other.  They 
both  lived  in  Broad 
way,  near  the  Bowling 
Green.  The  doors  and 
windows  of  the  French 
minister's  mansion 
were  bordered  with  lamps,  which  shone  upon  numerous  paintings  sug 
gestive  of  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future  of  American  history— 
from  the  brush  of  his  artist  sister.  The  principal  transparency  in  front  of 
the  Spanish  minister's  house  contained  figures  of  the  Graces  artistically 
executed  amid  a  pleasing  variety  of  emblems  ;  and  in  the  windows  were 
moving  pictures  so  skillfully  devised  as  to  present  the  illusion  of  a  living 
panorama  in  a  little  spot  of  fairyland.  One  of  the  ships  at  anchor  off 


STATUE   OF   WASHINGTON    IN   WALL  STREET. 

{Erected  by  the  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1883.] 


26  THE   INAUGURATION    OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

the  Battery  is  said  to  have  resembled  a  pyramid  of  stars.  The  display  of 
fire-works,  under  the  direction  of  Colonel  Bauman,  was  the  finest  this 
country  had  ever  yet  seen.  President  Washington  drove  from  his  resi 
dence  in  Franklin  Square  to  that  of  Chancellor  Livingston  in  the  lower 
part  of  Broadway,  from  whose  windows  he  had  a  full  view  of  the  cheering 
spectacle. 

Henceforward  Washington  was  the  observed  of  all  observers.  He  was 
fifty-seven  at  this  important  epoch  in  his  career,  with  a  character  so  well 
rounded,  firm  and  true,  kindly  and  sweet,  kingly  and  grand,  as  to  remain 
through  all  subsequent  history  unshaken  as  the  air  when  a  boy  wings  his 
arrow  into  it.  His  wonderful  figure  was  neither  unreal  nor  marble.  He 
stood  six  feet  three  inches  in  his  slippers,  was  splendidly  proportioned, 
evenly  developed,  and  straight  as  an  arrow.  He  had  a  long  muscular  arm 
and  probably  the  largest  hands  of  any  man  in  New  York.  His  uniform 
gravity  and  his  marvelous  will-power  seem  to  have  most  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  world,  which  were  indeed  but  the  index  to  a  manly  self- 
poise  founded  upon  the  most  perfect  self-control.  His  enthusiastic  wel 
come  to  the  Presidential  chair,  by  the  people  of  all  classes  without  any 
division  of  interest,  reads  in  this  age  like  a  poem  ;  yet  he  was  able  to 
meet  it  with  unruffled  composure.  He  had  come  to  the  front  when  there 
was  an  ocean  of  problems  to  solve — of  forms  and  ceremonies  to  be 
adjusted.  But  industry  was  one  of  his  cardinal  virtues,  and  he  did  not 
seek  to  be  afflicted  with  waste  moments.  His  personal  influence  tied  as 
with  a  knot  of  steel  the  conflicting  forces  together.  He  was  dignified 
even  to  a  lofty  reserve,  while  at  the  same  time  his  irresistible  magnetism 
disproves  the  notion  that  he  was  cold  and  unsympathetic.  His  breeding 
was  that  of  a  gentleman,  he  was  fond  of  society,  conversed  well,  enjoyed 
humor  in  a  quiet  way,  and  was  sensitive  to  the  beauty  and  open  to  the 
appeal  of  a  good  story. 

If  there  is  any  one  locality  in  this  country  more  than  another  where 
the  memory  of  Washington  should  be  cherished,  and  his  glorious  deeds 
honored,  it  is  New  York  City,  the  scene  of  his  severest  trials,  and  of  his 
most  brilliant  triumphs. 

The  5oth  anniversary  of  his  inauguration  was  celebrated  by  the  New 
York  Historical  Society,  April  30,  1839 — tne  accomplished  John  Quincy 
Adams,  ex-President  of  the  United  States,  delivering  an  able  and  eloquent 
address  on  the  occasion.  In  1880,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  New 
York  initiated  a  movement  to  erect  a  colossal  figure  in  bronze  of  Wash 
ington  on  the  steps  of  the  sub-treasury  building  in  Wall  street,  which 
stands  upon  the  exact  site  of  old  Federal  Hall,  and  Hon.  S.  B.  Chittenden, 


THE   INAUGURATION   OF   WASHINGTON,    1789  27 

member  of  Congress,  secured  the  necessary  legislation  to  authorize  its 
erection  and  subsequent  care  by  the  United  States.  The  necessary  money 
was  soon  raised,  and  the  work  was  executed  by  the  eminent  sculptor, 
John  Q.  A.  Ward.  Under  date  of  November  i,  1883,  the  following  peti 
tion  was  addressed  : 

"  To  the  Honorable  the  Mayor  and  Board  of  Aldermen  of  the  City  of  New  York  : 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York  respectfully  represents  that, 
pursuant  to  an  Act  of  Congress,  the  Chamber  is  now  erecting,  on  the  steps  of  the  Sub- 
Treasury,  Wall  street,  corner  of  Nassau,  a  statue  of  WASHINGTON,  to  commemorate  his 
taking  the  oath  at  that  place,  April  30,  1789,  as  the  first  President  of  the  United  States  of 
America.  That  the  Chamber  is  informed  that  the  balcony  and  the  stone  upon  which  he 
stood,  on  that  occasion,  are  now  in  Bellevue  Hospital,  where  they  have  been  carefully 
preserved.  This  balcony  and  stone,  your  memorialists  are  further  informed,  are  the 
property  of  the  City  of  New  York  ;  they  therefore  respectfully  represent  to  your  honorable 
body  the  peculiar  propriety  of  incorporating  these  interesting  relics  in  the  monument,  and 
pray  that  your  honorable  body  will  direct  the  delivery  of  the  same  to  Mr.  Richard  M. 
Hunt,  the  architect,  in  order  for  their  safe  transfer.  In  their  new  position  they  will  be  an 
additional  reminder  to  countless  numbers  of  the  great  historical  event,  which  they  have 
already  commemorated,  for  centuries  to  come." 

The  response  was  in  the  affirmative,  and  the  statue  was  therefore 
placed  upon  the  identical  stone  upon  which  Washington  stood  when  he 
took  the  solemn  oath  of  office,  "  a  stone  which  will  remain  in  the  eyes  of 
all  men,  an  imperishable  memorial  of  the  scene."  The  time  chosen  for 
the  unveiling  of  this  statue,  and  its  presentation  to  the  national  govern 
ment,  was  the  25th  of  November,  1883,  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of 
Washington's  triumphal  entrance  into  New  York  City,  after  its  long  occu 
pation  by  hostile  forces.  The  ceremonies  took  place  in  the  midst  of  a 
drenching  rain.  George  W.  Lane,  president  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
introduced  Rev.  Dr.  R.  S.  Storrs  who  offered  an  appropriate  prayer. 
Royal  Phelps,  in  behalf  of  the  committee  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
reported  the  complete  fulfillment  of  its  duties  respecting  the  work;  then 
Governor  Cleveland  of  New  York  unveiled  the  statue,  and  President 
Arthur  accepted  it  in  behalf  of  the  government  of  the  United  States.  An 
eloquent  address  was  then  delivered  by  George  William  Curtis,  and  the 
benediction  was  pronounced  by  Right  Reverend  Henry  C.  Potter,  Bishop 
of  New  York. 

The  movement  to  celebrate  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  Wash 
ington's  Inauguration,  on  April  30,  1889,  which  emanated  from  a  resolu 
tion  adopted  by  the  New  York  Historical  Society  some  four  years  since, 
has  already  assumed  vast  proportions.  The  strength  of  such  historic 
bodies  as  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  the  Sons 


28  THE   INAUGURATION    OF   WASHINGTON,    1789 

of  the  Revolution,  and  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  is  already  united 
in  a  grand  committee  of  citizens,  thoroughly  alive  to  the  magnitude  and 
importance  of  the  celebration  in  prospect.  The  precise  spot,  the  point  of 
national  interest  on  this  approaching  anniversary,  is  appropriately  owned 
and  occupied  by  the  national  government.  Its  location  in  the  throbbing 
heart  of  the  great  city,  the  financial  nerve-centre  of  a  continent,  is  in  itself 
significant,  for  America  offers  no  place  more  becoming  for  these  august 
ceremonies,  or  more  conspicuously,  honorably,  or  intimately  identified 
with  the  history  of  American  liberty. 

In  the  language  of  George  William  Curtis,  "  The  task  upon  which 
Washington  entered  here  was  infinitely  greater  than  that  which  he  under 
took,  when,  fourteen  years  before,  he  drew  his  sword  under  the  elm  at 
Cambridge  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  army.  To  lead  a 
people  in  revolution  wisely  and  successfully,  without  ambition  and  with 
out  a  crime,  demands,  indeed,  lofty  genius  and  unbending  virtue.  But  to 
build  their  state — amid  the  angry  conflict  of  passion  and  prejudice  and 
unreasonable  apprehension,  the  incredulity  of  many,  and  the  grave  doubt 
of  all,  to  organize  for  them  and  peacefully  to  inaugurate  a  complete  and 
satisfactory  government — is  the  greatest  service  that  a  man  can  render  to 
mankind.  This  also  is  the  glory  of  Washington.  His  countrymen  are 
charged  with  fond  idolatry  of  his  memory,  and  his  greatness  is  pleasantly 
depreciated  as  a  mythologic  exaggeration.  But  no  church  ever  canonized 
a  saint  more  worthily  than  he  is  canonized  by  the  national  affection,  and 
to  no  ancient  hero,  benefactor,  or  lawgiver,  were  divine  honors  ever  so 
justly  decreed  as  to  Washington  the  homage  of  the  world." 

The  music  of  Centennial  bells  has  been  ringing  in  our  ears  from  all 
parts  of  the  country  for  nearly  a  decade  and  a  half.  New  York  now  has 
the  opportunity  of  ringing  her  own  bells,  in  honor  of  the  most  majestic, 
far-reaching,  and  interesting  event  that  ever  was  celebrated  on  this  or  any 
other  continent,  and  we  trust  the  music  will  be  melody  indeed. 


THE   WASHINGTON    PF.W    IN    ST.    PAUL  S   CHAPEL. 


\_Thepewinwhich  Washington  worshiped  in  St.  Paul's  Chapel  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  chapel  under  the 
gallery  about  half  way  between  the  chancel  and  the  vestry  room.  Directly  opposite  it  on  the  south  side  of  the 
chapel  is  the  pew  then  occupied  by  Governor  George  Clinton.] 

Engraved  by  Mrs.  Martha  J.  Lamb  for  the  Magazine  of  American  History  of  February,  1888. 


PRESIDENT   WASHINGTON   AND    HIS    FAMILY,    1789-1790. 


SECOND     PAPER. 


WASHINGTON  AS  PRESIDENT,   1789-1790 

NEW    YORK   CITY   THE    SEAT   OF   GOVERNMENT 

FROM  the  beginning  of  his  Presidential  career  in  New  York  city 
Washington  exercised  each  day  in  the  open  air,  sometimes  on  horse 
back,  then  in  his  chariot  or  post-chaise,  and  often  walked  for  an  hour  or 
two.  The  little  city  that  posed  before  the  world  as  the  capital  of  the 
new  nation,  rejoiced  in  his  stately  presence — was  literally  enraptured  with 
undisguised  admiration. 

The  New  York  of  1789  was  but  a  mere  speck  on  the  map  in  comparison 
with  the  New  York  of  1889.  The  Brick  Church,  with  its  little  grave-yard 
in  front,  then  standing  on  the  site  of  the  old  building  of  the  New  York 
Times,  was  at  the  upper  limits  of  the  city  proper  ;  a  smooth,  clear,  beauti 
ful,  miniature  inland  sea,  sixty  feet  deep,  known  as  Fresh  Water  Pond, 
spread  over  nearly  four  blocks  of  territory  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Tombs  in 
Centre  Street ;  while  a  series  of  swampy  fields  to  the  northwest,  in  the 
region  of  what  is  now  Canal  Street  to  the  Hudson  River,  gave  little 
promise  of  future  value.  At  a  club  dinner  in  the  winter  of  that  year, 
some  imaginative  individual  incurred  overwhelming  ridicule  by  suggesting 
the  propriety  of  purchasing  the  pond  for  a  prospective  park  !  Capitalists 
had  no  faith  in  any  wild  visionary  scheme  of  that  character;  New  York 
city,  in  their  judgment,  would  never  have  occasion  to  extend  itself  thus 
far  into  the  country.  Water  was  supplied  to  the  citizens  from  the  old  Tea 
Water  Pump,  near  the  head  of  Pearl  Street,  in  water-carts  which  paraded 
the  streets  daily,  selling  "good  fresh  drinking  water"  at  so  much  per  cask 
or  gallon.  Milkmen,  with  yokes  on  their  shoulders  from  which  tin  cans 
were  suspended,  traversed  the  town  in  the  early  morning  shouting,  "  milk, 
ho!  "  Negro  boys  went  their  rounds  about  the  same  hour  seeking  chim 
neys  to  sweep.  Hickory  wood  was  the  principal  article  of  fuel,  and  wood- 
sawing  paraphernalia  ornamented  the  street  corners  and  other  convenient 
places  at  all  hours  of  the  day.  Every  citizen  attended  to  the  sweeping  of 
the  street  in  front  of  his  house  twice  a  week ;  and  in  the  evening  the 

3* 


32  WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1/90 

principal  thoroughfares  were  lighted  with  oil  lamps.  The  city  itself  had  a 
unique  appearance.  Antique  churches  with  moss-covered  roofs  and  grassy 
church-yards,  dwelling-houses  of  all  sizes  and  varieties,  small  hotels,  stores, 
gardens,  blacksmiths'  shops,  great  ware-houses,  trees,  trailing  vines,  rose 
bushes,  and  markets,  flourished  in  neighborly  juxtaposition.  Every  New 
York  family  of  any  pretension  to  affluence  owned  slaves — in  all  the  news 
papers  of  the  day  advertisements  may  be  noticed  of  negroes  for  sale,  and 
of  runaways.  The  community  embraced  many  excellent,  well-educated, 
and  highly  cultivated  people,  as  well  as  the  most  diverse  elements  from 
other  places  and  countries.  The  first  congress  added  to  the  population 
its  group  of  heroic  statesmen  who  were  to  make  the  age  illustrious. 

The  infant  republic  was  marvelously  interesting  even  while  it  was 
learning  to  walk,  and  the  city  in  which  it  was  cradled,  petted  and  nour 
ished  it  with  intense  pride.  Republicanism  was  a  novelty,  and  some  very 
extraordinary  expectations  prevailed.  There  never  had  been  a  President 
before,  on  this  continent,  nor  any  chief  magistrate  of  the  people.  It  was 
popularly  supposed  that  he  would  be  accessible  at  all  times  to  all  citizens. 
The  throngs  were  self-respectful,  as  if  under  the  spell  of  some  powerful 
fascination,  whenever  Washington  rode  or  walked  in  the  streets.  He  was 
not  followed  nor  his  movements  obstructed,  as  far  as  can  be  learned,  by 
rude  sight-seeing  mobs.  But  the  public  knew  exactly  when  he  left  his  house 
each  day,  which  direction  he  took  for  his  outing,  and  when  he  returned 
home — and  the  rush  to  gain  admittance  to  an  interview,  the  besieging  of 
his  door,  was  the  first  serious  difficulty  he  encountered.  He  believed  it 
his  duty  to  see  every  caller  on  proper  occasions  and  for  reasonable 
purposes.  But  he  had  work  before  him,  and  must  secure  time  to  accom 
plish  it.  To  establish  a  system  of  special  days  for  receptions  was  a  deli 
cate  undertaking.  John  Adams,  who  had  seen  much  of  foreign  courts, 
was  inclined  to  chamberlains  and  masters  of  ceremony;  John  Jay  was 
anxious  to  do  away  with  the  flavor  of  courts,  and  favored  "  republican 
simplicity ;  "  Alexander  Hamilton  was  for  maintaining  the  dignity  of  the 
presidential  office,  but  recommended  the  utmost  caution  lest  too  high  a 
tone  shock  the  popular  notions  of  equality.  All  felt  that  confused  theo 
ries  must  not  be  roughly  jarred.  Washington  finally  appointed  Tuesday 
afternoons  from  three  o'clock  until  four  for  the  reception  of  visits  of 
courtesy.  No  invitations  were  extended,  guests  came  and  retired  at  their 
pleasure.  A  servant  conducted  them  to  the  drawing-room,  where 
Washington  stood.  He  writes  of  this  ceremony  :  "  At  their  first  entrance 
they  salute  me  and  I  them,  and  as  many  as  I  can  I  talk  to.  Gentlemen 
often  in  great  numbers  come  and  go  ;  chat  with  each  other,  and  act  as 


WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790  33 

they  please/'  Persons  who  wished  to  see  him  on  business  were  admitted 
on  any  day  of  the  week;  and  foreign  ambassadors  and  official  characters 
could  see  him  at  any  time  by  appointment. 

Meanwhile  he  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  the  actual  condition  of 
foreign  and  domestic  affairs.  He  industriously  read  all  the  correspond 
ence  that  had  accumulated  since  the  close  of  the  war,  and  one  notable 
feature  of  his  lessons  was  to  produce  with  his  own  hand  abstracts  of 
the  reports  of  the  secretaries,  and  of  the  treasury  commissions,  in  order  to 
impress  facts  more  accurately  upon  his  memory,  and  thereby  enable  him 
to  master  all  the  subjects  in  detail. 

He  also  looked  after  his  household  concerns— the  arrangement  of  fur 
niture,  the  hanging  of  pictures,  and  the  locating  of  vases,  bric-a-brac,  china 
cut  glass,  silverware,  and  linen,  which  Mrs.  Washington  had  sent  'by  sea 
from  Mount  Vernon— with  as  much  precision  as  he  ever  directed  his 
farmer  or  steward  how  to  plough,  plant  seed,  buy  nails,  scissors,  grains, 
gloves,  buttons,  shingles,  hats,  dishes,  soap,  hoes,  rakes,  horses,  and  other 
necessaries,  all  of  which  appears  in  his  well-known  hand-writing  amoncr 
the  117  folio  volumes  of  "  Washington  Papers,"  in  the  State  Department 
at  Washington. 

While  he  was  thus  variously  employed  Mrs.  Washington  was  setting 
her  house  in  order  at  Mount  Vernon  for  a  protracted  absence,  and  in  the 
course  of  four  weeks  had  made  the  journey  to  New  York  in  her  own  car 
riage,  accompanied  by  her  two  grand-children,  Nelly  and  George  Washing 
ton  Parke  Custis,  the  latter  then  eight  years  of  age.  These  children  appear 
in  our  beautiful  frontispiece,  a  picture  for  which  the  reader  is  indebted  to 
the  collection  and  the  never-failing  courtesy  of  Dr.  Thomas  Addis  Emmet. 
Mrs.  Washington  missed  the  great  ball  on  the  7th  of  May,  but  on  the 
29th  of  that  month  she  held  her  first  reception,  or  levee,  as  it  was  styled, 
which  was  attended  by  all  that  was  distinguished  in  official  and  fashion 
able  society.  She  had  approached  New  York  with  a  retinue  of  attendants, 
and  been  greeted  continuously  on  the  way  by  the  olcj  and  the  young, 
the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  wise  and  the  simple,  receiving  scarcely  less 
homage  than  that  accorded  to  Washington  himself.  From  Philadelphia 
she  was  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Robert  Morris,  and  at  "  Liberty  Hall,"  the 
home  of  ex-Governor  William  Livingston,  in  Elizabeth,  she  was  met  by 
Mrs.  John  Jay.  She  spent  the  night  there,  and  in  the  morning  early  Pres 
ident  Washington,  John  Jay,  and  Robert  Morris,  and  other  prominent 
characters,  arrived  to  breakfast  with  her  and  her  host  and  hostess,  in  the 
old  historic  dwelling,  and  then  the  whole  party  set  out  for  New  York. 
New  York  Bay  presented  a  similar  scene  to  that  witnessed  on  the  day  of 


34  WASHINGTON   AS    PRESIDENT,    1789-1/90 

Washington's  memorable  reception.  No  foreign  queen  was  ever  welcomed 
by  a  loving  people  with  more  genuine  delight.  Unconsciously  as  it  were 
polite  intercourse  with  the  President  and  Mrs.  Washington  assumed  a  high 
tone.  The  intellectual  and  the  cultivated,  as  well  as  the  diplomatic,  polit 
ical  and  the  fashionable  visited  them  familiarly.  On  the  evening  prior  to 
Mrs.  Washington's  first  reception  the  following  gentlemen  dined  informally 
at  the  President's  table  :  Vice-President  John  Adams,  Governor  George 
Clinton,  Secretary  John  Jay,  the  French  minister  De  Moustier,  the  Span 
ish  minister  Gardoqui,  Governor  Arthur  St.  Clair  of  the  Northwest  terri 
tory,  Speaker  Muhlenberg,  and  Senators  John  Langdon,  Ralph  Izard, 
William  Few,  and  Paine  Wingate.  The  latter  has  left  a  description  of 
this  dinner.  He  says,  no  clergyman  being  present,  Washington  himself 
said  grace,  on  taking  his  seat.  He  dined  on  a  boiled  leg  of  mutton,  as  it 
was  his  custom  to  eat  of  only  one  dish.  After  the  dessert  a  single  glass 
of  wine  was  offered  to  each  of  the  guests,  when  the  President  rose,  the 
guests  following  his  example,  and  repaired  to  the  drawing-room,  each 
departing  at  his  option  without  ceremony. 

Among  the  prominent  ladies  who  grouped  themselves  about  Mrs. 
Washington  were  Mrs.  Jay,  Mrs.  Adams,  Mrs.  Hamilton,  Mrs.  Robert 
Morris,  Mrs.  Ralph  Izard,  Mrs.  Knox,  Lady  Mary  Watts,  Lady  Kitty 
Duer,  Mrs.  Beekman,  Mrs.  Provost,  Mrs.  Livingston,  Mrs.  Elbridge  Gerry, 
and  Mrs.  Rufus  King.  Mrs.  Washington,  after  her  first  grand  entertain 
ment,  received  every  Friday  evening  from  eight  until  ten  o'clock.  These 
levees  were  arranged  on  the  plan  of  the  English  and  French  drawing- 
rooms,  those  entitled  to  the  privilege  by  official  station,  social  position, 
or  established  merit  and  character,  coming  without  special  invitation. 
But  full  dress  was  required  of  all. 

Such  of  our  readers  as  have  never  had  the  pleasure  or  opportunity  of 
examining  the  great  historic  painting  of  Daniel  Huntington,  will  welcome 
the  fac-simile  of  it  presented  on  another  page  accompanied  by  a  key  to 
the  portraiture.  It  is  an  elaborate  work  of  art,  representing  intense  and 
careful  study,  and  it  is  eminently  a  national  picture.  It  may  best  be 
described  and  criticised  perhaps  in  the  language  of  Henry  T.  Tuckerman  : 

"The  painting  represents  a  reception  given  by  Mrs.  Washington  during  the  Presi 
dency  of  our  peerless  chief.  No  specific  date  is  chosen,  and  some  liberties  are  taken 
with  the  chronological  facts — as,  for  instance,  the  introduction  of  General  Greene,  who 
died  shortly  previous  to  this  time,  but  whose  prominence  in  the  Revolution  makes  it 
desirable  to  include  him  in  the  'Republican  Court.'  Sixty  'fair  women  and  brave 
men 'occupy  the  eight  feet  of  canvas.  Not  one  is  a  lifeless  figure;  all  are  disposed 
easily,  all  are  naturally  occupied.  The  grouping  is  admirable.  As  a  composition  the 


WASHINGTON   AS    PRESIDENT,    1789-1790  35 

painting  is,  therefore,  a  genuine  success.  Mrs.  Washington  stands,  dignified,  but  not 
constrained,  upon  a  raised  platform  ;  behind  her  is  Alexander  Hamilton,  talking  to  a 
lady  ;  near  by  is  John  Jay  ;  Washington  is  approaching  the  ladies  with  a  foreign  guest. 
We  recognize  forms  and  faces  at  a  glance — Mrs.  Jay,  Mrs.  Adams,  Mrs.  Rufus  King, 
Mrs.  Theodore  Sedgwick,  Mrs.  Robert  Morris,  General  Greene,  Jonathan  Trumbull, 
Oliver  Ellsworth,  Mrs.  Duer,  Clinton's  venerable  mother,  Jefferson,  the  Duke  of  Cam 
bridge  (on  a  visit  to  America),  Mrs.  Bingham,  pretty  Nelly  Custis,  na'ively  standing 
beside  her  (grand)  mother,  Mrs.  Knox,  Mrs.  Rutledge,  Mrs.  Phillipe,  Mrs.Schuyler — all  the 
heroic  and  lovely  faces,  the  statesmen  and  the  belles,  familiar  to  us  through  the  portraits 
and  miniatures.  Huntington  has  painted  the  costumes  with  rare  taste  and  skill  ;  they 
are  elegant,  and  as  authentic  as  they  are  picturesque.  The  drawing  is  for  the  most  part 
masterly  ;  the  color  full  of  the  richest  contrast,  yet  harmoniously  toned.  All  of  the 
portraits  are  copied  from  Copley,  Stuart,  Malbone,  and  from  family  likenesses  in  the 
possession  of  the  living  descendants  of  many  of  the  persons  represented." 

At  the  extreme  left  in  the  picture,  Mrs.  Adams,  the  wife  of  the  Vice- 
President,  and  Mrs.  Hamilton,  will  be  recognized  ;  Mrs.  Robert  Morris 
stands  beside  Mrs.  Washington  on  the  raised  platform.  Jonathan  Trum 
bull  is  seated  at  her  left  in  an  arm-chair;  Mrs.  Bingham  and  Mrs.  Jay  are 
conspicuously  in  the  foreground,  and  little  George  Washington  Parke 
Custis  is  attracting  the  attention  of  Mrs.  Winthrop  and  Mrs.  Ran 
dolph,  at  the  extreme  right.  In  all  its  parts  the  picture  is  a  pleasant  study, 
and  doubly  dear  at  the  present  moment  when  thousands  are  groping  in 
the  dark  for  bits  of  the  glorious  past  in  our  history — particularly  that 
which  relates  to  its  social  manifestation. 

The  most  important  business  of  the  first  Congress  was  to  create  the 
department  of  State,  and  the  Treasury  and  War  departments,  the  Con 
stitution  having  left  the  details  of  administration  to  this  august  body. 
Troublesome  questions  arose  on  the  start.  The  President  for  instance 
had  been  empowered  to  appoint  the  heads  of  departments,  but  the  Con 
stitution  was  silent  as  to  where  the  powers  of  removal  should  be  lodged. 
Equally  acute  thinkers  and  interpreters  of  the  law  stood  opposed  in  the 
discussion,  which  was  finally  decided  in  favor  of  the  President.  That  this 
should  not  be  regarded  as  a  grant  of  actual  power  by  Congress,  the  bill 
was  carefully  worded  so  as  to  imply  a  constitutional  power  already  existing 
in  the  President,  thus,  "  Whenever  the  secretary  shall  be  removed  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States,"  etc.  It  is  to  this  day  a  question  whether 
our  first  legislators  acted  wisely  in  the  matter. 

It  was  not  until  September  that  the  permanent  secretaries  were 
appointed  by  Washington,  after  which  the  intricate  machinery  of  each 
department  was  to  be  devised,  set  in  motion,  and  with  much  experimenting 
adjusted  to  its  purposes.  Thomas  Jefferson  was  made  Secretary  of  State; 


-5  WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 


LADY  WASHINGTON'S  RECEPTION  DAY. 
[From  Huntingdon's  celebrated  painting.'} 


WASHINGTON   AS    PRESIDENT,    1789    1 790 


37 


LADY  WASHINGTON'S  RECEPTION  DAY. 
{From  Huntington's  celebrated  painting.} 


WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 


!  J 


I 


I 

» 


H' 

w 


iilb. 

s  8.3  bj?  ^ 


K      EESSEgeg^Sgg 

o   ^^ss^ms^MHo^ 


m 


.gl 

IS 


.1 


OOOWH 


WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790  39 

Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  Knox,  Secretary  of  War;  Ex- 
Governor  Edmund  Randolph  of  Virginia,  Attorney-General ;  and  Samuel 
Osgood  of  New  York,  Postmaster-General. 

These  officers  were  Washington's  auxiliaries  rather  than  his  counselors, 
for  the  Cabinet  as  an  advisory  body  was  unknown  to  the  Constitution  and 
to  the  laws  of  Congress.  The  President  called  them  together  at  intervals, 
but  it  was  chiefly  to  give  them  instructions,  as  he  was  held  responsible 
for  the  good  conduct  of  the  departments.  He  could  take  advice  of  them 
if  he  chose,  but  at  his  own  option.  While  the  house  was  vigorously 
debating  several  knotty  questions  in  connection  with  the  establishment  of 
the  departments — chiefly  the  contemplated  revenue  system,  and  the 
matter  of  the  salaries  to  be  paid  the  President,  Vice-President,  and  other 
officials  of  the  government — the  senate  took  up  the  subject  of  the 
national  judiciary,  and  established  the  supreme  court  and  circuit  and 
district  courts,  an  organization  which  has  remained  substantially  the  same 
to  the  present  time.  It  seemed  eminently  fitting  that  John  Jay,  who  had 
been  the  first  chief-justice  of  the  state  of  New  York  in  the  most  critical 
of  all  periods,  should  become  the  first  chief-justice  of  the  United  States, 
and  he  received  the  appointment,  although  the  court  was  not  fully 
organized  until  the  following  April.  Oliver  Ellsworth  was  chairman  of 
the  committee  that  prepared  the  bill  creating  this  tribunal,  which  was  to 
hold  two  sessions  annually  at  the  seat  of  government.  Six  associate- 
justices  were  appointed — William  Cushing,  James  Wilson,  Robert  H. 
Harrison,  John  Blair,  John  Rutledge,  and  Patrick  Henry.  Harrison 
declined,  and  James  Iredell  of  North  Carolina  was  appointed  in  his  stead. 
These  gentlemen  procured  homes  and  brought  their  families  to  reside  in 
New  York  city. 

There  were  not  many  good  houses  then  to  rent,  and  the  varied  experi 
ences  of  the  new-comers  would  form  an  amusing  chapter.  The  salary 
fixed  for  the  attorney-general  was  only  $1,500  a  year;  and  Mr.  Conway,  in 
his  recent  work  on  Randolph,  says  that  "  Madison  was  unable  to  find  a 
house  in  New  York  fit  for  his  friend  to  live  in  for  less  than  $250,  though 
Randolph  had  begged  him  to  get  one  for  less.  *  Frugality  is  my  object, 
and  therefore  a  house  near  the  town  which  is  cheap  in  point  of  rent  would 
suit  me.  An  hundred  and  sixty-six  and  two-thirds  dollars,  £50  Virginia 
currency,  is  what  I  think  I  may  allow  per  annum.'  '  Randolph  wrote 
soon  after  to  his  wife  :  u  I  have  a  house  at  a  mile  and  a  half  or  thereabouts 
from  Federal  Hall — that  is  from  the  most  public  part  of  the  city.  It  is,  in 
fact,  in  the  country,  is  airy,  has  seven  rooms,  is  well  finished  and  gentle 
manlike.  The  rent,  £75  our  money.  Good  water  is  difficult  to  be  found 


40  WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 

in  this  place,  and  the  inhabitants  are  obliged  to  receive  water  for  tea,  and 
other  purposes  which  do  not  admit  brackish  water,  from  hogsheads 
brought  every  day  in  drays.  At  our  house  there  is  an  excellent  pump  of 
fresh  water,  I  am  told.  ...  I  am  resolved  against  any  company  of 
form,  and  to  live  merely  a  private  life." 

Oliver  Wolcott,  then  a  brilliant  young  man  of  thirty,  was  appointed 
auditor  of  the  treasury,  and  his  salary  was,  like  that  of  Randolph,  $1,500  a 
year.  Oliver  Ellsworth  furnished  him  with  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of 
living  in  New  York,  and  remarked  that  he  could  keep  his  expenses  within 
$1,000  per  annum,  unless  he  should  change  his  style,  which  was  wholly 
unnecessary.  Wolcott,  on  reaching  New  York,  wrote  to  his  wife  :  "  The 
example  of  the  President  and  his  family  will  render  parade  and  expense 
improper  and  disreputable.  We  can  live  as  retired  or  as  much  in  the 
world  as  we  choose."  In  December  following  he  wrote  to  his  mother  : 
"  We  have  not  been  able  to  hire  a  house,  and  shall  continue  in  lodgings 
until  spring." 

Washington's  immense  activity,  which  in  effect  had  condensed  a  score 
of  life-times  into  his  fifty-seven  well-rounded  years,  showed  that  his  origi 
nal  endowment  of  nerve  and  brain  power  was  magnificent.  Claude  Victor, 
Prince  de  Broglie,  who  was  arrested  by  the  revolutionary  tribunal  in  Paris, 
tried,  condemned,  and  guillotined  June  27,  1794,  left  among  the  records 
of  his  visit  to  America  the  following  pen-portrait  of  Washington  :  "  He 
is  tall,  nobly  built,  and  very  well  proportioned.  His  face  is  much  more 
agreeable  than  represented  in  his  portrait.  His  accost  is  cold  though 
polite.  His  pensive  eyes  seem  more  attentive  than  sparkling ;  but 
their  expression  is  benevolent,  noble,  and  self-possessed.  In  his  private 
conduct  he  preserves  that  polite  and  attentive  good-breeding  which 
satisfies  everybody,  and  that  dignified  reserve  that  offends  no  one. 
He  is  a  foe  to  ostentation  and  to  vain-glory.  He  receives  with  perfect 
grace  all  the  homages  which  are  paid  him,  but  he  evades  them  rather 
than  seeks  them.  His  company  is  agreeable  and  winning.  Always 
serious,  never  abstracted,  always  simple,  always  easy  and  affable  without 
being  familiar,  the  respect  which  he  inspires  is  never  oppressive.  He 
speaks  but  little  in  general,  and  that  in  a  subdued  tone,  but  he  is  so 
attentive  to  what  is  said  to  him  that,  being  satisfied  he  understands  you 
perfectly,  one  is  disposed  to  dispense  with  an  answer.  This  behavior  has 
been  very  useful  to  him  on  numerous  occasions.  ...  At  dessert  he 
eats  enormously  of  nuts,  and  when  the  conversation  is  entertaining  he 
keeps  eating  through  a  couple  of  hours,  from  time  to  time  giving  sundry 
healths,  according  to  the  English  and  American  custom.  It  is  what  they 


WASHINGTON    AS    PRESIDENT,    1789-1790  4r 

call  toasting.  I  toasted  very  often  with  him,  and  among  others  on  one 
occasion  I  proposed  to  drink  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  whom  he 
regards  as  his  own  child.  He  accepted  with  a  benevolent  smile,  and  had 
the  politeness  to  respond  by  proposing  the  health  of  my  father  and  mv 
wife." 

During  the  greater  part  of  the  months  of  June  and  July  of  that  first 
year  of  his  presidency,  Washington  was  suffering  from  a  violent  illness  and 
confined  to  the  house.  But  August  found  him  convalescent,  and  ere  long 
he  was  taking  his  accustomed  drives  over  the  roads  on  the  upper  part  of 
Manhattan  Island,  and  walking  from  his  house  in  Franklin  Square  to  the 
Battery  with  the  same  light,  firm,  elastic  step  as  formerly.  The  summer 
of  1789  was  fortunately  very  cool  and  comfortable,  and  the  busy  legislators 
toiled  on,  taking  no  vacation  until  the  adjournment  of  Congress  on  the 
26th  of  September.  The  city  was  then  quiet,  comparatively,  for  a  few 
weeks.  Washington  had  for  some  time  been  contemplating  a  tour  through 
the  New  England  States,  and  as  the  autumn  advanced  he  prepared  for  the 
journey,  setting  the  example  which  has  been  variously  followed  by  his 
successors  even  to  the  present  administration.  He  left  New  York  when 
the  autumn  foliage  was  gorgeous  in  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  about  the 
middle  of  October,  and  was  absent  a  month,  less  one  day.  He  traveled  in 
his  own  chariot  drawn  by  four  handsome  horses,  attended  by  his  two  per 
sonal  secretaries,  Tobias  Lear  and  Major  Jackson,  on  horseback.  Wash 
ington's  own  account  of  this  tour  is  more  terse  and  to  the  point  than  any 
other,  hence  we  quote  a  few  passages  from  his  diary  : 

"  Thursday,  October  15.  Commenced  my  journey  about  9  o'clock  for  Boston. 
The  Chief  Justice,  Mr.  Jay,  and  the  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury  and  War  Departments 
accompanied  me  some  distance  out  of  the  city.  About  10  o'clock  it  began  to  rain,  and  con 
tinued  to  do  so  until  11,  when  we  arrived  at  the  house  of  one  Hoyatt,  who  keeps  a  tavern 
at  Kingsbridge,  where  we,  that  is,  Major  Jackson,  Mr.  Lear,  and  myself,  with  six  servants, 
which  composed  my  retinue,  dined.  After  dinner,  through  frequent  light  showers,  we 
proceeded  to  the  tavern  of  a  Mrs.  Haviland  at  Rye  ;  who  keeps  a  very  neat  and  decent 
Inn. 

The  road  for  the  greater  part  was  stony  but  the  land  strong,  well  covered  with  grass 
and  a  luxuriant  crop  of  Indian  corn  intermixed  with  pompions  (which  were  yet  ungath- 
ered)  in  the  fields.  We  met  four  droves  of  beef  cattle  for  the  New  York  market  (about 
30  in  a  drove),  some  of  which  were  very  fine — also  a  flock  of  sheep  for  the  same  place. 
We  scarcely  passed  a  farm-house  that  did  not  abound  in  geese.  .  .  . 

The  distance  of  this  day's  travel  was  31  miles,  in  which  we  passed  through  (after  leav 
ing  the  Bridge)  East  Chester,  New  Rochelle,  and  Mamaroneck  ;  but,  as  these  places 
(though  they  have  houses  of  worship  in  them)  are  not  regularly  laid  out,  they  are  scarcely 
to  be  distinguished  from  the  intermediate  farms,  which  are  very  close  together — and  sep 
arated,  as  one  inclosure  from  another  also  is,  by  fences  of  stone,  which  are  indeed  easily 


42  WASHINGTON    AS    PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 

made,  as  the  country  is  immensely  stony.  Upon  enquiry  we  find  their  crops  of  wheat  and 
rye  have  been  abundant— though  of  the  first  they  had  sown  rather  sparingly,  on  account 
of  the  destruction  which  had  of  late  years  been  made  of  that  grain  by  what  is  called  the 
Hessian  fly. 

Friday,  October  16.  About  7  o'clock  we  left  the  Widow  Haviland's,  and  after  passing 
Horse  Neck,  six  miles  distant  from  Rye,  the  road  through  which  is  hilly  and  immensely 
stony,  and  trying  to  wheels  and  carriages,  we  breakfasted  at  Stamford,  which  is  six 
miles  further  (at  one  Webb's),  a  tolerably  good  house,  but  not  equal  in  appearance  or 
reality  to  Mrs.  Haviland's.  In  this  town  are  an  Episcopal  church  and  a  meeting  house. 
At  Norvvalk,  which  is  ten  miles  further,  we  made  a  halt  to  feed  our  horses.  To  the  lower 
end  of  this  town  sea  vessels  come,  and  at  the  other  end  are  mills,  stores,  and  an  Episcopal 
and  Presbyterian  church.  From  hence  to  Fairfield,  where  we  dined  and  lodged,  is  12 
miles  ;  and  part  of  it  a  very  rough  road,  but  not  equal  to  that  thro'  Horse  Neck.  .  .  . 
We  found  all  the  farmers  busily  employed  in  gathering,  grinding,  and  pressing  the  juice 
of  their  apples;  the  crop  of  which  they  say  is  rather  above  mediocrity.  .  .  .  The 
destructive  evidences  of  British  cruelty  are  yet  visible  both  in  Norwalk  and  Fairfield  ;  as 
there  are  the  chimneys  of  many  burnt  houses  standing  in  them  yet.  The  principal  export 
from  Norwalk  and  Fairfield  is  horses  and  cattle— salted  beef  and  pork— lumber  and  Indian 
corn,  to  the  West  Indies,  and  in  a  small  degree  wheat  and  flour. 

Saturday,  October  17.  A  little  after  sunrise  we  left  Fairfield,  and  passing  through  East 
Fairfield  breakfasted  at  Stratford,  which  is  ten  miles  from  Fairfield,  and  is  a  pretty  village 
on  or  near  Stratford  river.  The  road  between  these  two  places  is  not  on  the  whole  bad 
(for  this  country),  in  some  places  very  good,  especially  through  East  Fairfield,  which  is 
in  a  plain  and  free  from  stone. 

There  are  two  decent  looking  churches  in  this  place,  though  small,  viz.  :  an  Episcopal, 
and  Presbyterian  or  Congregationalist  (as  they  call  themselves).  At  Stratford  there  is  the 
same.  At  this  place  I  was  received  with  an  effort  of  military  parade  ;  and  was  attended 
to  the  ferry,  which  is  near  a  mile  frorn  the  centre  of  the  town,  by  several  gentlemen  on 
horseback.  Doctor  Johnson  of  the  Senate  [William  Samuel  Johnson,  LL.D.,  president  of 
Columbia  College]  visited  me  here,  being  with  Mrs.  Johnson  in  this  town,  where  he  for 
merly  resided.  .  .  .  From  the  ferry  it  is  almost  3  miles  to  Milford,  which  is  situated  in 
more  uneven  and  stony  ground  than  the  last  three  villages  through  which  we  passed.  In 
this  place  there  is  but  one  church,  or  in  other  words  but  one  steeple— but  there  are  grist 
and  saw  mills,  and  a  handsome  cascade  over  the  tumbling  dam.  .  .  .  From  Milford 
we  took  the  lower  road  through  West  Haven,  part  of  which  was  good  and  part  rough,  and 
arrived  at  New  Haven  before  two  o'clock  ;  we  had  time  to  walk  through  several  parts  ot 
the  city  before  dinner. 

"  By  taking  the  lower  road  we  missed  a  committee  of  the  Assembly,  who  had  been 
appointed  to  wait  upon  and  escort  me  into  the  town,  to  prepare  an  address,  and  to  con 
duct  me  when  I  should  leave  the  city  as  far  as  they  should  judge  proper.  The  address 
was  presented  at  7  o'clock,  and  at  nine  I  received  another  address  from  the  Congrega 
tional  clergy  of  the  place.  Between  the  receipt  of  the  two  addresses  I  received  the  com 
pliment  of  a  visit  of  the  governor,  Mr.  Huntington,  the  lieutenant-governor,  Mr.  Wolcott, 
and  the  mayor,  Mr.  Roger  Sherman." 

The  newspapers  of  the  day  give  a  glowing  account  of  Washington's 
entertainment  in  New  Haven,  where  he  spent  the  Sabbath.  In  the  fore- 


WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1/90  43 

noon  of  Sunday  he  attended  divine  service  at  Trinity  Church,  escorted  by 
Mr.  Edwards,  speaker  of  the  Assembly,  Mr.  Ingersoll,  and  other  gentlemen 
of  prominence ;  and  in  the  afternoon  went  to  one  of  the  Congregational 
churches,  escorted  by  the  governor,  lieutenant-governor,  the  mayor,  and 
the  speaker  of  the  Assembly,  all  of  whom  dined  with  Washington  at  his 
invitation,  who  notes  the  fact  in  his  diary,  and  also  that  he  took  tea  at  the 
house  of  the  mayor,  Roger  Sherman. 

New  Haven  was  awake  early  in  the  morning  on  Monday,  the  I9th  of 
October,  as  Washington  left  that  city  at  6  o'clock,  accompanied  for  a  con 
siderable  distance  by  a  troop  of  cavalry  and  many  of  the  most  prominent 
citizens  on  horseback.  He  further  says  in  his  diary: 

"  We  arrived  at  Wallingford  (13  miles)  by  half  after  8  o'clock,  where  we  breakfasted, 
and  took  a  walk  through  the  town.  .  .  At  this  place  we  see  the  white  mulberry  growing, 
raised  from  the  seed,  to  feed  the  silkworm.  We  also  saw  samples  of  lustring  (exceed 
ingly  good)  which  had  been  manufactured  from  the  cocoon  raised  in  this  town,  and  silk- 
thread  very  fine.  This,  except  the  weaving,  is  the  work  of  private  families." 

At  I  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  Presidential  chariot  rolled  into  Mid- 
dletown  on  the  Connecticut  River,  attended  by  a  large  party  of  mounted 
citizens  who  had  gone  out  two  or  three  miles  to  meet  and  do  honor  to  the 
nation's  ruler.  He  dined  there  while  his  horses  rested,  and  as  at  many 
other  points  walked  about  the  place  "  while  dinner  was  getting  ready,"  to 
observe  its  industrial  features.  At  3  o'clock  he  started  for  Hartford,  pass 
ing  through  Wethersfield,  where  he  was  met  by  an  escorting  party  from 
Hartford  with  Colonel  Wadsworth  at  its  head,  which  city  he  reached  just 
as  the  sun  was  setting.  Turning  to  his  diary  we  read  : 

"Tuesday,  October  20.  After  breakfast,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Wadsworth,  Mr. 
Ellsworth,  and  Colonel  Jesse  Root,  I  viewed  the  woolen  manufacturing  at  this  place,  which 
seems  to  be  going  on  with  spirit.  Their  broadcloths  are  not  of  the  first  quality  as  yet,  but 
they  are  good  ;  as  are  their  coatings,  cassimeres,  serges  and  everlastings.  Of  the  first, 
that  is,  broadcloth,  I  ordered  a  suit  to  be  sent  to  me  at  New  York  ;  and  of  the  latter  a 
whole  piece,  to  make  breeches  for  my  servants.  .  .  Dined  and  drank  tea  at  Colonel  Wads- 
worth's,  and  about  7  o'clock  received  from,  and  answered  the  address  of,  the  town  of 
Hartford. 

;i  Wednesday,  October  21.  By  promise  I  was  to  have  breakfasted  at  Mr.  Ellsworth's 
at  Windsor,*  on  my  way  to  Springfield  ;  but  the  morning  proving  very  wet,  and  the  rain 
not  ceasing  till  past  10  o'clock,  I  did  not  set  out  until  half  after  that  hour.  I  called,  how 
ever,  on  Mr.  Ellsworth  and  stayed  there  near  an  hour.  Reached  Springfield  by  4  o'clock, 
and  while  dinner  was  getting  ready,  examined  the  Continental  stores  at  this  place,  which 
I  found  in  very  good  order  at  the  buildings  (on  the  hill  above  the  town)  which  belong  10 

*  Oliver  Ellsworth,  Senator  [Magazine  of  American  History,  xx.  440],  whose  home  was  at 
Windsor,  about  seven  miles  above  Hartford. 


44  WASHINGTON   AS    PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 

the  United  States.  .  .  There  is  great  equality  in  the  people  of  this  state.  Few  or  no  opu 
lent  men — and  no  poor — great  similitude  in  their  buildings,  the  general  fashion  of  which 
is  a  chimney  (always  of  stone  or  brick)  and  door  in  the  middle,  with  a  staircase  fronting  the 
latter,  .  .  .  two  flush  stories  with  a  very  good  show  of  sash  and  glass  windows  ;  the  size 
generally  is  from  30  to  50  feet  in  length,  and  from  20  to  30  feet  in  width,  exclusive  of  a 
back  shed,  which  seems  to  be  added  as  the  family  increases." 

Washington's  critical  observations  on  this  first  Presidential  tour  through 
the  country  are  of  surpassing  interest.  He  seems  to  have  known  how  to 
use  his  eyes  to  the  best  advantage,  and  to  have  lost  nothing  worthy  of  note. 
He  describes  the  average  farm,  how  it  was  worked  "  chiefly  by  oxen, 
(which  have  no  other  feed  than  hay),  with  a  horse  and  sometimes  two  before 
them,  both  in  plow  and  cart,"  and  states  the  condition  of  the  roads  he 
passed  over  on  each  day,  the  style  of  the  fences,  the  quality  of  the  soil, 
and  the  exact  number  of  the  churches  in  the  principal  towns.  He  pro 
duces  a  picture  of  New  England  a  hundred  years  ago,  the  colors  of  which 
will  brighten  and  deepen  as  the  years  roll  on. 

An  amusing  incident  occurred  between  Springfield  and  Worcester.  A 
messenger  was  sent  forward  to  inform  the  keeper  of  a  little  wayside  inn 
that  "  the  President  was  near  by  and  wished  to  be  accommodated  with  a 
little  necessary  refreshment,  and  lodging."  The  proprietor  was  absent, 
and  his  wife,  supposing  it  was  the  president  of  Rhode  Island  College,  who 
frequently  stopped  with  them,  accompanied  by  his  wife,  and  not  feeling 
well  enough  to  entertain  them,  sent  word  back  "  that  the  President  must 
go  on  to  the  next  tavern."  The  disappointment  of  the  landlady  may  well 
be  imagined  when  she  found  after  it  was  too  late  that  it  was  the  great 
Washington  who  intended  to  honor  her  house.  "  Bless  me  !  "  she  cried, 
"  the  sight  of  him  would  have  cured  my  illness  !  " 

At  Worcester  he  was  received  with  great  ceremony,  and  with  the 
booming  of  guns.  To  gratify  the  inhabitants  he  rode  through  the  town 
on  horseback,  his  chariot  following  in  the  rear.  He  spent  the  night  of  the 
23d  at  Wcston.  Saturday,  the  24th,  he  writes :  "  Dressed  by  seven 
o'clock,  and  set  out  at  eight — at  ten  we  arrived  in  Cambridge,  according  to 
appointment."  He  called,  and  tarried  for  about  an  hour,  at  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Longfellow,  which  was  his  headquarters  in  1775,  and  then  in  his 
Continental  uniform  and  mounted  on  a  white  horse,  he  was  conducted  into 
Boston  by  a  military  escort  of  one  thousand  or  more  men,  led  by  General 
Brooks.  Lieutenant-Governor  Samuel  Adams,  with  the  executive  council 
of  Massachusetts,  and  the  officers  of  the  city  government,  met,  welcomed, 
and  preceded  him  into  Boston,  while  he  was  followed  by  his  secretaries, 
Vice-President  John  Adams,  ex-Governor  James  Bowdoin,  Senator  Tristam 


WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,     1789-1790  45 

Dalton,  distinguished  citizens,  committees,  civil  and  military  officers, 
between  forty  and  fifty  societies,  and  bodies  of  mechanics  and  tradesmen, 
carrying  banners  of  great  beauty,  with  appropriate  devices.  Washington 
in  reference  to  this  parade  says  :  "  It  was  in  every  degree  flattering  and 
honorable."  A  triumphal  arch  was  thrown  across  Main  Street,  bearing  in 
front  the  inscription  "  To  the  man  who  unites  all  hearts,"  for  him  to  pass 
through  into  the  State  House,  and  thence  he  proceeded  to  an  outside 
gallery  supported  by  thirteen  columns,  over  the  west  door,  where  his 
appearance  was  greeted  with  prolonged  shouts  from  the  enthusiastic 
throng.  He  himself  remarks  incidentally  :  "  The  streets,  the  doors,  win 
dows  and  tops  of  the  houses  were  crowded  with  well-dressed  ladies  and 
gentlemen." 

Washington  remained  in  Boston  four  days,  until  the  29th,  and  during 
this  memorable  Presidential  visit  the  ladies  of  Boston  wore  a  sash  of 
broad  white  ribbon,  with  G.  W.  in  golden  letters,  encircled  with  a  laurel 
wreath.  At  a  brilliant  assemblage  which  he  attended  at  Concert  Hall  on 
the  28th,  graced  by  all  that  was  distinguished  in  affairs  and  society,  the 
Marchioness  Traversay  wore  in  addition  to  the  sash  above  described,  on 
the  bandeau  of  her  hat,  the  initials  G.  W.,  and  an  eagle  set  in  brilliants  on 
a  ground  of  black  velvet.  The  illustrious  guest  of  the  evening  observes : 
"  There  were  upwards  of  one  hundred  ladies.  Their  appearance  was 
elegant,  and  many  of  them  very  handsome." 

Every  moment  of  Washington's  time  was  agreeably  and  usefully  occu 
pied  during  his  stay  in  Boston,  and  would  in  itself  form  a  chapter  of 
marvelous  interest.  A  "  large  and  elegant "  dinner  was  given  him  at 
Faneuil  Hall  on  the  27th,  by  the  governor  and  council,  prior  to  which  he 
had  that  morning  been  to  an  oratorio,  and  between  noon  and  three 
o'clock,  P.M.,  had  received  the  addresses  of  the  government  of  the  state, 
of  the  town  of  Boston,  of  the  president  and  professors  of  Harvard  Col 
lege,  and  of  the  state  branch  of  the  order  of  the  Cincinnati.  He  attended 
church  on  the  Sabbath,  both  morning  and  afternoon  ;  he  visited  the 
French  squadron  in  the  harbor,  and  was  received  with  the  homage  offered 
to  kings  ;  he  visited  the  institutions  of  learning,  and  he  made  special  note 
of  every  manufacturing  establishment  of  public  utility. 

He  went  through  Lynn  on  leaving  Boston,  and  out  of  his  way  to 
Marblehead,  because  he  wanted  to  see  the  place.  He  describes  it  as  hav 
ing  "  the  appearance  of  antiquity :  the  houses  are  old  ;  the  streets  dirty ; 
and  the  common  people  not  very  clean."  His  special  desire  was  to  learn 
about  the  fishing  business  of  its  people.  Of  Lynn,  he  writes  :  "  It  is  said 
175,000  pair  of  shoes  (women's  chiefly)  have  been  made  in  a  year  by  about 


46  WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 

400  workmen.  This  is  only  a  row  of  houses,  and  not  very  thick,  on  each 
side  of  the  road."  He  was  met  by  a  committee  and  a  handsomely  uni 
formed  military  escort,  who  conducted  him  into  the  flourishing  town  of 
Salem,  where  an  ode  in  his  honor  was  sung,  addresses  presented,  respect 
paid  to  him  by  all  classes  of  people,  and  after  dining  he  attended  an 
assembly  in  the  evening,  where  he  says:  "There  were  at  least  an  hundred 
handsome  and  well-dressed  ladies." 

On  Friday,  the  3Oth,  he  was  received  in  Newburyport  with  military 
honors,  where  he  spent  the  night.  On  Saturday,  the  3ist,  after  break 
fasting  with  Senator  Tristam  Dalton,  he  proceeded  toward  Portsmouth. 
A  cavalcade  came  out  to  meet  him  at  the  state  line,  in  which  the  figures  of 
the  President  of  New  Hampshire,  John  Sullivan,  and  Senators  John  Lang- 
don  and  Paine  Wingate  were  conspicuous,  and  Washington,  who  had  thus 
far  been  riding  on  horseback  to  gratify  the  people  who  lined  the  road  the 
whole  distance,  dismounted,  and  took  leave  of  the  escort  which  had 
attended  him  to  this  point.  Before  reaching  Portsmouth,  however,  the 
clamor  of  the  spectators  along  the  road  was  such  that  Washington 
mounted  his  horse  and  rode  through  the  ranks  of  men,  women,  and  chil 
dren,  to  their  never-ending  delight.  He  says:  "  With  this  cavalcade,  we 
proceeded,  and  arrived  before  three  o'clock  at  Portsmouth,  where  we  were 
received  with  every  token  of  respect  and  appearance  of  cordiality,  under 
a  discharge  of  artillery.  The  streets,  doors,  and  windows  were  crowded 
here  as  in  all  other  places ;  and  alighting  at  the  town-house  odes  were  sung 
and  played  in  honor  of  the  President.  .  .  .  From  the  town-house  I 
went  to  Colonel  Brewster's  tavern,  the  place  provided  for  my  residence  ; 
and  asked  the  president,  vice-president,  the  two  senators,  the  marshal 
and  Major  Oilman  to  dine  with  me,  which  they  did  ;  after  which  I  drank 
tea  at  Mr.  Langdon's." 

On  Sunday  Washington  attended  religious  services  in  two  of  the 
churches,  attended  by  Governor  Sullivan,  Senator  Langdon,  and  others  ; 
in  the  forenoon  at  the  Episcopal,  and  in  the  afternoon  at  the  Congrega 
tional,  Rev.  Joseph  Buckminster,  pastor.  In  both  cases  he  was  conducted 
to  his  pew  by  the  marshal  of  the  district  and  two  church  wardens,  with 
their  staves.  He  remained  in  Portsmouth  until  Wednesday,  the  4th,  dur 
ing  which  time  he  went  in  a  barge  to  view  the  harbor,  and  landed  for  a 
few  moments  at  Kittery,  in  Maine.  He  writes :  "  Having  lines  we  pro 
ceeded  to  the  fishing  banks  a  little  without  the  harbour  and  fished  for  Cod  ; 
but  it  not  being  a  proper  time  of  tide,  we  caught  only  two,  with  which 
about  one  o'clock  we  returned  to  town.  Dined  at  Mr.  Langdon's,  and 
drank  tea  there,  with  a  large  circle  of  ladies,  and  retired  a  little  after  seven 


WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790  47 

o'clock."  He  says  that  Portsmouth  contained  at  that  time  about  five 
thousand  inhabitants.  "  There  are  some  good  houses  (among  which 
Colonel  Langdon's  may  be  esteemed  the  first),  but  in  general  they  are 
indifferent,  and  almost  entirely  of  wood.  On  wondering  at  this,  as  the 
country  is  full  of  stone  and  good  clay  for  bricks,  I  was  told  that  on 
account  of  the  fogs  and  damp  they  deemed  them  wholesomer,  and  for 
that  reason  preferred  wood  buildings." 

On  Tuesday  a  public  dinner  was  given  in  honor  of  the  President, 
attended  by  the  principal  officers  of  the  state  government,  the  clergy,  the 
members  of  the  bar,  and  eminent  private  citizens;  and  after  the  first 
toast,  Washington  himself  arose  and  offered,  "  The  State  of  New  Hamp 
shire,"  which  created  the  utmost  enthusiasm.  The  same  evening,  he 
writes:  "  At  half  after  seven  I  went  to  the  assembly,  w.here  there  were 
about  seventy-five  well-dressed  and  many  of  them  very  handsome  ladies 
— among  whom  (as  was  also  the  case  at  Salem  and  Boston  assemblies) 
were  a  greater  proportion  with  much  blacker  hair  than  are  usually  seen 
in  the  southern  states.  About  nine  I  returned  to  my  quarters." 

Washington  was  anxious  that  his  journey  homeward  to  New  York 
should  be  without  any  public  receptions  whatever.  He  had  been  exceed 
ingly  gratified  with  the  evidences  of  respect  and  affection  which  had  made 
this  first  Presidential  tour,  thus  far,  a  continuous  triumphal  march, 
unparalleled  in  history,  but  he  feared  such  ceaseless  demonstrations  on  the 
part  of  the  people  would  react  to  the  disadvantage  of  their  private  occupa 
tions  and  business  interests.  He  writes  in  his  note-book : 

"  Wednesday,  November  4.  About  half  after  seven  I  left  Portsmouth,  quietly,  and 
without  any  attendance,  having  earnestly  entreated  that  all  parade  and  ceremony  might 
be  avoided  on  my  return.  Before  ten  I  reached  Exeter,  14  miles  distance.  This  is  con 
sidered  the  second  town  in  New  Hampshire,  and  stands  at  the  head  of  the  tide-water  of 
Piscataqua  river.  ...  It  is  a  place  of  some  consequence,  but  does  not  contain  more  than 
i. ooo  inhabitants.  A  jealousy  subsists  between  this  town  (where  the  legislature  alter 
nately  sits)  and  Portsmouth  ;  which,  had  I  known  it  in  time,  would  have  made  it  necessary 
to  have  accepted  an  invitation  to  a  public  dinner,  but  my  arrangements  having  been 
otherwise  made,  I  could  not.  From  hence,  passing  through  Kingstown  (6  miles  from 
Exeter),  I  arrived  at  Haverhill  about  half-past  two,  and  stayed  all  night.  .  .  .  The 
inhabitants  of  this  small  village  were  well  disposed  to  welcome  me  to  it  by  every  demon 
stration  which  could  evince  their  joy." 

He  returned  by  a  different  route  from  that  taken  in  going  to  Boston  and 
Portsmouth,  and  interested  himself  with  every  little  detail  of  country  life 
which  he  encountered,  often  halting  to  converse  with  the  farmers  along 
the  road,  questioning  them  about  their  crops.  At  Uxbridge  he  lodged  at 
a  small  inn  kept  by  Mr.  Taft,  and  the  letter  he  wrote  back  to  the  landlord 


4^  WASHINGTON   AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 

after  reaching  Hartford,  accompanying  a  gift  to  each  of  his  young 
daughters,  was  the  basis  of  the  romantic  story,  "  How  Washington  made 
the  Fortunes  of  two  Apple  Pickers,"  published,  as  will  be  remembered, 
some  dozen  years  ago.  He  stopped  over  the  Sabbath  on  the  8th,  giving 
his  reasons  as  follows  : 

"  It  being  contrary  to  law  and  disagreeable  to  the  people  of  this  State  (Connecticut)  to 
travel  on  the  Sabbath  day— and  my  horses  after  passing  through  such  intolerable  roads 
wanting  rest,  I  stayed  at  Perkins'  tavern  (which,  by  the  way,  is  not  a  good  one)  all  day— 
and  a  meeting-house  being  within  a  few  rods  of  the  door,  I  attended  morning  and  evening 
service,  and  heard  very  lame  discourses  from  a  Mr.  Pond." 

Washington  passed  through  Mansfield,  which  was  even  then  making  a 
larger  quantity  of  silk  than  any  other  town  in  the  state.  He  spent  the 
night  of  November  9  in  Hartford,  and  at  seven  the  next  morning  took  the 
middle  road  to  New  Haven,  which  city  he  reached  just  before  sundown. 
Here  he  met  Mr.  Elbridge  Gerry,  just  in  from  New  York,  who  gave  him  the 
first  certain  account  of  the  health  of  Mrs.  Washington  since  he  parted 
from  her.  He  reached  his  own  house  in  Franklin  Square  between  two  and 
three  o'clock  on  Friday,  November  13,  his  horses  looking  as  fresh  and 
gay  as  if  they  had  not  been  traveling  continuously  for  a  month  ;  and  he 
was  just  in  time  to  be  present  at  Mrs.  Washington's  reception,  of  which  he 
says  :  "  A  pretty  large  company  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  present." 

The  winter  of  1790  was  superlatively  mild  and  pleasant  until  February, 
and  New  York  was  indeed  the  gayest  and  most  charming  city  on  the  conti 
nent.  The  presence  of  so  much  dignity  of  character,  statesmanship,  legal 
lore,  culture,  and  social  elegance  inspired  all  manner  of  ambitions.  John 
Trumbull  wrote  to  Oliver  Wolcott  early  in  December: 

"  I  see  the  President  has  returned  all  fragrant  with  the  odour  of  insence.  It  must  have 
given  him  satisfaction  to  find  that  the  hearts  of  the  people  are  united  in  his  favor  ;  but 
the  blunt  and  acknowledged  adulation  of  our  addresses  must  often  have  wounded  his 
feelings.  We  have  gone  through  all  the  popish  grades  of  worship,  at  least  up  to  the 
Hyperdoulia.  This  tour  has  answered  a  good  political  purpose,  and  in  a  great  measure 
stilled  those  who  were  clamoring  about  the  wages  of  Congress  and  the  salaries  of 
officers." 

The  President  was  each  day  in  consultation  with  the  new  secretaries  in 
shaping  the  conduct  of  their  departments,  and  the  most  complex  and 
important  subjects  that  came  before  the  legislators  in  Wall  Street  were 
constantly  being  brought  to  his  notice.  But,  notwithstanding  the  weighty 
affairs  of  state,  he  found  time  for  loyalty  to  every  social  duty.  The  extracts 
from  his  diary  published  in  the  February  magazine  of  1888,  the  last  entry 
then  quoted  being  that  of  "  February  18,  1789,"  furnish  bewitching  glimpses 


WASHINGTON    AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1/90  49 

of  his  movements.  The  city  was  astir  with  all  manner  of  festivities,  public 
and  private — the  balls  and  dinners  were  far  more  numerous  than  the  even 
ings — and  statesmen  were  constantly  meeting  in  polite  circles  and  every 
where  discussing  the  great  topics  of  the  hour,  such  as  the  trouble  the 
Indians  were  giving  on  the  Ohio  river,  and  in  the  Carolinas,  Georgia,  and 
Alabama,  the  disturbed  condition  of  foreign  affairs,  Hamilton's  bill  for 
funding  the  public  debt,  and  the  location  of  the  permanent  seat  of  govern 
ment.  The  President  continued  his  Thursday  dinner  parties,  inviting 
members  of  Congress,  foreign  ministers,  and  other  eminent  persons.  On 
the  1 8th  of  February  the  guests  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elbridge  Gerry,  Elias 
Boudinot,  the  New  Jersey  philanthropist,  and  Mrs.  Boudinot,  Isaac  Coles 
and  Mrs.  Coles  from  Virginia,  the  brilliant  Alexander  White  and  Mrs. 
White,  Samuel  Griffin  and  Mrs.  Griffin,  Judge  Cushing  and  his  lady,  and 
Postmaster-General  Osgood  and  Mrs.  Osgood. 

On  Tuesday  afternoons  Washington  was  ready  to  receive  visitors  at 
three  o'clock,  usually  dressed  in  coat  and  breeches  of  rich  black  velvet,  with 
a  white  or  pearl-colored  satin  vest,  his  hair  powdered  and  gathered  into 
a  silk  bag,  silver  knee-buckles  and  shoe-buckles,  a  cocked  hat  in  his  hand, 
and  an  elegant  sword  in  its  scabbard  of  polished  white  leather  at  his  side. 
At  Mrs.  Washington's  Friday  levees  he  appeared  as  a  private  gentleman, 
without  hat  or  sword.  Mrs.  Jay,  Mrs.  Hamilton,  and  Mrs.  Knox  each 
had  a  special  evening  aside  from  giving  dinners  every  week.  Chancellor 
Livingston's  home  in  Broadway  below  Trinity  Church  was  open  to  all  that 
was  notable  in  the  world  of  politics  and  letters.  Livingston  was  a  great 
lover  of  art  treasures,  and  the  walls  of  his  mansion  were  adorned  with 
beautiful  paintings  and  Gobelin  tapestry  of  unique  design,  while  costly 
ornaments  greeted  the  eye  in  every  apartment.  His  table  service  was  of 
solid  silver,  valued,  it  is  said,  at  upwards  of  thirty  thousand  dollars  ;  four 
side-dishes  each  weighed  twelve  and  one-half  pounds. 

On  the  anniversary  of  his  fifty-eighth  birthday,  February  22,  1790, 
Washington  was  in  the  turmoil  of  removal  from  the  Franklin  house,  which 
had  been  found  exceedingly  inconvenient  on  account  of  its  great  distance 
out  of  town,  to  the  McComb  mansion  in  lower  Broadway,  previously  occu 
pied  by  the  French  minister.  So  much  of  the  Presidential  furniture  was 
carried  during  the  day  to  the  new  house,  that  two  of  the  gentlemen  of  the 
President's  household  slept  there  that  night.  At  the  same  time  most  of 
the  large  towns  in  the  United  States  were  celebrating  with  enthusiasm  his 
birthday.  The  Tammany  Society  or  Columbian  Order,  then  recently 
instituted  in  New  York,  held  a  meeting  at  their  wigwam,  and  resolved  that 
forever  after  it  would  "  commemorate  the  birthday  of  the  illustrious 


50  WASHINGTON    AS   PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 

George  Washington."      Some    extracts   from  Washington's    diary   are   of 
special  interest  in  this  connection. 

"  Tuesday,  February  23.  Few  or  no  visitors  at  the  Levee  to-day,  from  the  idea  of  my 
being  on  the  move.  After  dinner,  Mrs  Washington  and  myself  and  children  removed, 
and  lodged  at  our  new  habitation. 

Wednesday  24     Employed  in  arranging  matters  about  the  house  and  fixing  matters. 

Thursday  25  Engaged  as  yesterday.  In  the  afternoon  a  committee  of  Congress 
presented  an  Act  for  enumerating  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States. 

Friday  26  A  numerous  company  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  here  this  afternoon. 
Exercised  on  horseback  this  forenoon. 

Saturday  27  Sat  for  Mr  Trumbull  this  forenoon  ;  after  which  exercised  in  the 
coach  with  Mrs  Washington  and  the  children. 

Sunday  28  Went  to  St  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  Wrote  letters  on  private 
business  afterwards. 

Monday,  March  I.  Exercised  on  horseback  this  forenoon,  attended  by  Mr  John 
Trumbull,  who  wanted  to  see  me  mounted.  Informed  the  House  of  Representatives 
(where  the  bill  originated)  that  I  had  given  my  assent  to  the  act  for  taking  a  census  of 
the  people. 

Tuesday  2  Much  and  respectable  company  at  the  Levee  to-day.  Caused  a  letter 
to  be  written  to  the  Gov'r  of  St  lago  respecting  the  imprisonment  of  a  Captain  Ham 
mond. 

Wednesday  3     Exercised  on  horseback  between  9  and  1 1  o'clock. 

Thursday  4  Sat  from  9  until  half  after  10  o'clock  for  Mr  Trumbull.  The  following 
gentlemen  dined  here  to-day,  viz;  the  vice  President  (John  Adams)  Messers  (John)  Lang- 
don,  (Paine)  Wingate,  (Tristam)  Dalton,  (Caleb)  Strong,  (Oliver)  Ellsworth,  (Philip) 
Schuyler,  (Rufus)  King,  (William)  Patterson,  (Robert)  Morris,  (William)  Maclay,  (Richard) 
Bassett,  (John)  Henry,  (William  Samuel)  Johnson,  (Benjamin)  Hawkins,  (Ralph)  Izard, 
(Pierce)  Butler,  and  (William)  Few,  all  of  the  Senate. 

Friday  5     A  very  numerous  company  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  here  this  evening. 

Saturday  6  Exercised  in  the  coach  with  Mrs  Washington  and  the  children,  and  in 
the  afternoon  walked  round  the  Battery." 

The  general  upheaval  of  society  in  France  at  this  juncture,  as  described 
from  time  to  time  by  Gouverneur  Morris,  caused  much  uneasiness.  After 
spending  an  evening  with  De  Moustier,  the  French  minister  who  had 
returned  to  Paris,  Morris  writes  :  "  I  find  that,  notwithstanding  public  pro 
fessions  as  to  the  public  proceedings  of  America,  both  De  Moustier  and 
Madame  de  Brehan  have  a  thorough  dislike  to  the  country  and  its  inhab 
itants.  The  society  of  New  York  is  not  sociable,  the  provisions  of  America 
are  not  good,  the  climate  is  very  damp,  the  wines  are  abominable,  the 
people  are  excessively  indolent."  Thomas  Jefferson,  coming  home  from  his 
mission  to  France,  was  overflowing  with  sympathy  for  the  French  revolu 
tionists.  He  spent  a  few  weeks  at  his  beautiful  Virginia  country  seat,  and 
then  traveled  to  New  York  to  assume  the  duties  of  Secretary  of  State.  He 


WASHINGTON   AS    PRESIDENT,    1789-1790  51 

arrived  on  Sunday.  Washington  had  just  returned  from  church  when 
Jefferson  was  announced.  "  Show  him  in/'  was  the  quick  and  pleased 
response,  and  then  the  President,  without  waiting,  stepped  forward  and 
greeted  his  guest  with  special  warmth  and  cordiality  in  the  entrance  hall. 
Jefferson's  coming  on  that  day  was  particularly  opportune.  Washington 
and  Jay  were  earnestly  considering  the  course  to  be  pursued  in  relation  to 
some  captives  in  Algiers — and  also  about  the  sending  of  charges  d'affaires 
to  the  courts  of  Europe.  Jefferson  was  fresh  from  the  old  world,  and 
brought  the  latest  exact  intelligence  touching  upon  its  affairs.  But  he  did 
not  find  things  in  America  as  he  expected.  He  was  disappointed  with 
the  Constitution  ;  and  he  thought  the  leaning  was  toward  a  kingly  instead 
of  a  republican  government.  Hamilton's  project  of  a  national  bank 
shocked  him — he  regarded  it  as  a  fountain  of  demoralization. 

It  was  at  Hamilton's  dinner-table  that  he  first  advocated  aiding  France 
to  throw  off  her  monarchical  yoke.  Hamilton  shook  his  head  and  declared 
himself  in  favor  of  maintaining  a  strict  neutrality.  This  question  presently 
assumed  vital  importance.  Jefferson  opposed  Hamilton's  funding  system 
and  seemed  to  distrust  all  his  measures.  Stormy  discussions  were  of  daily 
occurrence,  trifles  were  magnified,  and  political  excitement  spread  through 
the  country.  Thus  developed  that  division  in  politics,  which,  gradually 
rising  to  the  dignity  of  party  organization,  was  known  as  Federalism  and 
Republicanism.  The  Assumption  Bill  brought  to  the  front  ail  the  local 
prejudices  of  a  century,  and  created  such  feuds  that  when  it  was  lost  in 
the  house  by  a  vote  taken  one  hot  July  afternoon,  the  whole  business  of 
the  nation  was  in  a  deadlock.  The  northern  members  threatened  seces 
sion  and  dissolution  of  the  union.  Congress  actually  adjourned  from  day 
to  day  because  opposing  parties  were  too  much  out  of  temper  to  do  busi 
ness  together.  Washington  was  seriously  alarmed. 

For  some  weeks  the  controversy  over  the  location  of  the  permanent 
seat  of  government  had  been  almost  as  heated  as  that  concerning  the 
Assumption  Bill.  "The  question  of  residence  is  constantly  entangling 
every  measure  proposed,"  wrote  Wolcott.  New  York  city  was  preferred 
by  the  majority  ;  the  gentlemen  from  the  New  England  states  could  reach 
it  with  ease,  and  it  was  accessible  by  sea  from  the  south.  A  house,  intended 
for  a  Presidential  residence,  was  already  in  process  of  erection  near  the 
Battery,  on  the  site  of  the  old  fort,  overlooking  the  Bowling  Green.  But 
neither  the  state  nor  the  city  authorities  were  ready  to  cede  the  territory 
and  the  jurisdiction  of  the  ten  miles  square  which  it  must  include,  even  if 
such  a  tract  could  be  found  appropriately  situated.  Harlem  Heights 
was  suggested  as  suitable  for  the  proposed  district,  as  was  also  West- 


WASHINGTON   AS    PRESIDENT,    1789-1790 


WASHINGTON   AS    PRESIDENT,    1789-1790  53 

Chester  and  the  heights  of  Brooklyn.  Washington  was  incessantly  act 
ive  and  observant.  His  morning  exercise  on  horseback  was  frequently 
extended  to  the  site  of  the  Harlem  Heights  battle-field,  where  he  won 
his  first  absolute  victory  in  an  open  field  encounter  with  the  British ; 
and  this  picturesque  elevation  between  Manhattanville  and  Kingsbridge 
would  have  been  unquestionably  his  choice  for  the  site  of  a  capitol  and 
public  buildings,  if  the  question  had  been  decided  in  favor  of  New  York. 

One  charming  summer  day  a  party  was  formed  for  a  drive  over  Harlem 
Heights,  and  a  visit  to  the  remains  of  Fort  Washington.  The  party  con 
sisted  of  the  President  and  Mrs.  Washington,  the  two  children,  Mrs.  Lear, 
the  gentlemen  of  the  President's  household,  Vice-President  John  Adams 
and  Mrs.  Adams,  their  son  and  Miss  Smith,  Secretary  and  Mrs.  Hamilton, 
Secretary  Thomas  Jefferson,  and  Secretary  and  Mrs.  Knox.  Returning, 
they  alighted  at  the  old  Roger  Morris  mansion,  with  which  Washington,  as 
we  all  know,  was  thoroughly  familiar,  where  a  dinner  had  been  provided  for 
the  entire  party  by  Mr.  Mariner,  the  farmer  who  occupied  the  premises, 
and  an  animated  and  delightful  dinner-party  it  proved.  This  fine  house 
with  its  extensive  grounds  had  been  confiscated,  and  was  at  the  time  in 
the  care  of  a  man  employed  by  the  government.  Towards  evening  the 
party  descended  Breakneck  Hill  and  drove  rapidly  back  to  the  city.  The 
"  fourteen  mile  round,"  Washington's  favorite  drive,  was  over  the  old 
Bloomingdale  road  to  the  high  bluff  where  Grant  now  sleeps,  thence  across 
to  the  Kingsbridge  and  old  Boston  roads  in  returning. 

Washington  also  visited  Long  Island  not  far  from  this  time,  driving 
through  many  of  the  towns,  and  carefully  jotting  observations  into  his 
note-book.  Mrs.  Jay  wrote  to  her  husband,  who  was  in  Boston,  of  the 
President's  absence  on  this  trip,  and  remarks :  "  On  Wednesday  Mrs. 
Washington  called  upon  me  to  go  with  her  to  wait  upon  Miss  Van  Berckel, 
and  on  Thursday  morning,  agreeable  to  invitation,  myself  and  the  little  girls 
took  an  early  breakfast  with  her,  and  then  went  with  her  and  her  little 
grandchildren  to  breakfast  at  General  Morris's,  at  Morrisania.  We  passed 
together  a  very  agreeable  day,  and  on  our  return  dined  with  her,  as  she 
would  not  take  a  refusal.  After  which  I  came  home  to  dress,  and  she  was 
so  polite  as  to  take  coffee  with  me  in  the  evening."  In  another  letter  Mrs. 
Jay  mentions,  "  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton  dined  with  me  on  Sunday  and  on 
Tuesday."  She  also  refers  to  having  entertained  informally  Mrs.  Iredell 
and  her  daughter,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Munro.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
of  Albany,  known  as  the  patroon,  was  the  newly  elected  senator,  and, 
although  scarcely  twenty-six,  was  a  model  of  masculine  beauty  and  courtly 
manners:  his  bride  was  Mrs.  Hamilton's  sister  Margaret. 


54  WASHINGTON    AS   PRESIDENT,    1/89-1790 

Pennsylvania  made  great  efforts  to  secure  the  establishment  of  the 
future  capital  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware;  and  Maryland,  Delaware, 
and  Virginia  were  anxious  that  it  should  be  located  on  the  Potomac.  The 
South  Carolinians  objected  decidedly  to  Philadelphia  because  her  Quakers 
"  were  eternally  dogging  southern  members  with  their  schemes  of  emancipa 
tion."  The  subject  of  slavery  had  indeed  been  introduced  into  congress  by 
a  petition  from  the  Quakers  that  the  negroes  should  receive  their  freedom. 
The  Philadelphians  resented  any  mention  of  New  York  as  the  ultimate 
choice.  Dr.  Rush  wrote  to  Muhlenberg :  "  Do  as  you  please,  but  tear  con 
gress  away  from  New  York  in  any  way  ;  do  not  rise  until  you  have  effected 
this  business." 

Jefferson  was  on  his  way  to  see  the  President  one  morning  when  he 
met  Hamilton  on  the  street,  and  the  two  walked  arm  in  arm  backward  and 
forward  in  front  of  the  President's  house  in  Broadway  for  half  an  hour, 
Hamilton  explaining  with  the  utmost  earnestness  the  anger  and  disgust  of 
the  creditor  states,  and  the  immediate  danger  of  disunion,  unless  the 
excitement  was  calmed  through  the  sacrifice  of  some  subordinate  principle. 
Hamilton  appealed  with  such  persuasive  eloquence  and  so  directly  to 
Jefferson  for  aid  in  silencing  the  clamor  which  menaced  the  very  existence 
of  government  that  the  latter  yielded,  and  afterwards  said  he  u  was  most 
innocently  made  to  hold  the  candle  "  to  Hamilton's  "  fiscal  manoeuvre"  for 
assuming  the  state  debts.  He  proposed  that  Hamilton  should  dine  with 
him  the  next  day,  inviting  two  or  three  other  gentlemen ;  and  at  the 
dinner-table  the  situation  was  dicussed  in  all  its  bearings.  It  was  finally 
agreed  that  two  of  the  Virginia  members  should  support  the  Assumption 
Bill,  and  that  Hamilton  and  Robert  Morris  should  command  the  northern 
influence  sufficient  to  locate  the  seat  of  government  on  the  Potomac.  The 
result  was  the  adoption  of  Hamilton's  funding  system  by  a  small  majority 
in  both  houses,  and  the  final  decision  which  founded  the  city  of  Washing 
ton  on  its  present  site. 

Congress  adjourned  August  12,  to  meet  in  Philadelphia  in  December, 
returning  thanks  to  the  corporation  of  the  city  of  New  York  "  for  the  ele 
gant  and  convenient  accommodations  furnished  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States."  On  the  1/j.th  of  August  Washington  sailed  for  Newport,  return 
ing  on  the  2 1st.  On  the  3Oth  he  left  for  a  brief  autumnal  visit  to  Mount 
Vernon,  bidding  a  final  farewell  to  the  metropolis  to  which  he  had  become 
deeply  attached. 


THIRD 


HISTORIC  HOMES  AND  LANDMARKS. 

THE    BATTERY,    BOWLING    GREEN    AND    VICINITY. 

THE  historic  homes  in  the  oldest  portion  of  New  York  city lower 
Broadway  and  the  vicinity  of  the  Battery— such  as  remain  or  have 
but  recently  surrendered  their  sites  for  the  erection  of  massive  structures, 
are  associated  with  more  picturesque  and  stirring  events  as  well  as  fasci 
nating  romance  than  the  public  of  the  present  are  apt  to  suppose.  Many 
of  these  were  well  along  in  years  when  Washington  came  to  take  the 
solemn  oath  of  office,  in  1789,  with  which  he  entered  upon  his  eight  years' 
service  in  organizing  and  conducting  the  untrted  government  of  a  new 
nation,  and  were  even  then  vastly  interesting.  How  much  more  so  at 
this  writing,  a  hundred  years  later,  just  as  the  chief  city  on  the  continent 
is  preparing  to  commemorate  the  grandest  event  in  the  world's  annals, 
and  to  extend  its  hospitalities  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  ;  when  it  is  vigor 
ously  rummaging  its  archives,  shaking  the  dust  from  unused  tomes  while 
making  felicitous  discoveries  among  the  back  leaves,  and  polishing  up  its 
rusty  and  sadly  neglected  memories. 

The  Battery  and  the  Bowling  Green  are  familiar  names  wherever  the 
English  language  is  spoken.  But  they  are  more  easily  found  by  the  sight 
seer  on  maps  and  in  books  than  in  their  respective  and  exact  localities. 
Our  foreign  visitors  look  for  some  monumental  indications  of  their  where 
abouts,  and  wonder  why  Americans  do  not  pay  more  respect  to  historic 
landmarks.  The  Swiss  traveler,  after  sitting  for  an  hour  on  one  of  the  set 
tees  in  the  little  circle  with  an  iron  railing  known  as  the  Bowling  Green, 
watching  the  rushing,  bustling  throngs  on  business  or  pleasure  bent — on 
"  the  roads  in  the  air  "  and  along  the  great  surface  thoroughfare — suddenly 
sprang  to  his  feet  and  addressed  a  passer-by  : 

"  Vot  you  put  your  Liberty  statue  out  in  ze  sea  vor  ?  Vy  not  stood  it  on  ze  very  spot 
vare  you  vurst  come  to,  vare  you  build  your  vurst  Dutch  vort,  vare  you  vight  ze  Indian 

55 


56  HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 

savage,  vare  you  vas  beat  by  ze  British  vith  no  vighting  at  all,  vare  you  land  your  vine 
governors,  vare  you  build  your  nize  houses,  vare  you  vire  your  big  guns,  vare  you  vurst 
does  your  commerce  vith  ze  world,  vare  you  stood  your  king's  grand  stature,  vare  you 
vorship  it  vith  bon-vire  and  roast  ox,  vare  you  pull  it  down  again  and  vire  it  vor  liberty 
at  ze  king's  own  men  in  little  bullets,  vare  you  triumph  over  ze  king  and  make  ze  country 
your  very  own,  vare  your  congress  valks  up  and  down  vor  six  years,  vare  you  build  ze 
vurst  steamboat,  and  all  ze  ozer  zings — I  zay,  vot  vor  you  stood  your  Liberty  statue  out 
in  ze  sea,  and  have  nottin  at  all  on  vis  spot  vare  t'vould  show  you  vhat  it  vas  you  vorget  ?  " 

There  will  doubtless  be  many  among  the  multitude  that  promenade 
the  grounds  of  the  Battery  a  few  weeks  hence  who  will  sympathize  with 
our  Swiss  friend,  and  sigh  for  a  sign,  if  not  for  the  statue  of  Liberty  or 
knowledge.  If  appearances  are  to  be  trusted  New  York  is  about  to  grap- 


NEW    YORK   IN    THE    BEGINNING.      THE   SOUTHERN    POINT. 


pie  with  the  boundless  idea  of  consequences,  to  measure  the  century's 
growth  of  the  country  at  large,  and  express  this  dependent  continuity  in 
a  magnificent,  speaking,  and  educating  pageant  in  its  streets  on  the  3Oth 
day  of  April  next — such  an  one  as  was  never  before  witnessed  in  America, 
rendering  the  impressive  occasion  memorable  for  all  time.  The  points, 
therefore,  which  have  received  the  largest  legacies  of  historic  riches  during 
the  two  hundred  and  eighty  years  since  the  beginning  of  civilized  life  on 
Manhattan  island,  will  be  sought  with  freshly  awakened  interest  by  those 
who  witness  the  spectacle. 

The  two  views  of  the  southern  extremity  of  the  city  are  worth  more 
than  a  volume  of  wordy  eloquence.  They  both  come  within  three  cent 
uries.  The  first  fort  was  a  little  block-house  with  red  cedar  palisades.  The 
site  chosen  for  it  was  the  same  as  that  now  occupied  by  the  steamship 
offices  overlooking  the  Bowling  Green,  opposite  the  Field  building.  The 
edge  of  the  water  was  much  nearer  to  it  than  now,  even  in  the  Revolution, 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS  57- 

0 

as  will  be  noticed  in  an  old  view  upon  another  page.  This  little  fortress 
grew  from  small  beginnings  into  a  very  respectable  citadel.  It  was  revised 
and  remodeled  and  built  over  almost  as  many  times  as  there  were  new 
governors  to  command  it  during  the  first  century  and  a  half  of  its  exist 
ence.  When  peace  came  to  bless  the  country,  it  was  allowed  to  fall  into 
decay,  and  in  1789  was  removed  altogether  for  the  erection  of  the  house 
for  the  President,  illustrated  in  the  February  issue  of  this  magazine. 

The  fort  was  much  more  than  a  military  landmark  in  its  interest  for  the 
present  generation — it  was  the  historic  home  of  all  the  early  governors  of 
the  province.  Peter  Minuit  who  established  it  was  the  first  to  dwell  in  a 
thatched  cottage  within  the  inclosure,  safe  from  the  howling  wolves  and 
curious  Indians.  He  was  a  man  of  adventurous  spirit,  middle-aged,  gray- 
haired,  with  a  dull  black  eye,  large  robust  figure,  and  coarse  manners.  He 


NEW    YORK   IN    1889.      THE   SOUTHERN    POINT,    FROM    BROOKLYN    BRIDGE. 

[From  a  recent  j>holograph.~\ 

is  distinguished  for  having  won  the  confidence  of  the  savage  inhabitants, 
and  purchased  Manhattan  island  from  them  in  a  very  business-like  fashion. 
His  successor  was  Wouter  van  Twiller,  who  built  a  brick  house  in  the  fort 
and  lived  quite  comfortably.  Thus  we  can  see  progress  from  the  start, 
although  the  steps  were  many  and  slow  for  numerous  decades.  Van 
Twiller  was  one  of  those  inactive,  good-natured,  irresolute  men,  who  with 
out  trying  achieve  fame.  Thanks  to  the  genius  of  Washington  Irving  his 
name  is  better  known  than  that  of  any  of  his  successors.  Wilhelm  Kieft 
succeeded  him,  and  his  twelve  years  of  rulership  were  marked  by  bloody 
Indian  wars,  helplessness,  and  terror.  The  fort  was  the  only  place  of 
security,  and  the  people  fled  to  it  from  every  quarter.  Just  prior  to  the 
outbreak  of  savage  hostilities — in  1642 — Kieft  aided  in  the  building  of  a 
church  inside  the  fort,  on  the  front  wall  of  which  he  placed  a  marble  slab 
bearing  his  name.  When  the  fort  was  finally  demolished,  this  slab  was 
discovered  buried  in  the  earth,  and  was  removed  to  the  belfry  of  the  old 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 


VIEW    OF    THE    OLD    FORT,    THE    CHURCH,    AND    NEIGHBORING    HOUSES. 

[From  a  rare  antique  drawing.] 


Dutch  church  in  Garden  Street,  where  it  was  consumed  in  the  great  fire 
of  1835.  Governor  Stuyvesant,  the  most  remarkable  of  the  four  Dutch 
governors,  and  his  accomplished  Huguenot  wife  took  possession  of  the 
house  in  the  fort  in  the  spring  of  1647.  He  was  the  son  of  a  Holland 
clergyman,  had  received  a  military  education,  possessed  great  will  power, 
marvelous  energy  and  subtlety  of  discernment,  and  for  seventeen  years 
governed  the  colony  like  a  veritable  autocrat.  The  great  distinguishing 
feature  of  his  administration  was  the  incorporation  of  the  city  in  1653, 
unless  we  may  except  the  surrender  of  both  city  and  province  to  the 
English  in  1664.  He  left  the  impress  of  his  sterling  character  upon  the 
forming  institutions  of  N-ew  York.  His  descendants  are  among  our  most 
eminent  citizens  of  to-day,  one  of  whom,  the  Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  Secre 
tary  of  State  under  President  Grant,  is  president  of  the  approaching  cen 
tennial  celebration  of  the  inauguration  of  Washington  in  1789. 

The  procession  of  governors  who  were  sent  over  from  England 
included  scions  of  some  of  the  best  families  in  the  realm.  Let  us  observe 
each  one  in  passing.  Colonel  Richard  Nicolls,  in  1664,  was  the  first,  and 
he  laughed  a  little  at  the  fort  with  its  feint  of  strength  and  its  gable-roofed 
church,  but  he  found  the  governor's  house  within  it  tolerably  supplied  with 
comforts.  He  was  well-born  and  well-bred,  could  speak  the  Dutch  and 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


59 


French  languages  as  well  as  his  native  tongue,  and  was  accustomed  to  all 
the  refinements  and  luxuries  of  court  circles  in  the  old  world.  He  was 
about  forty  years  of  age,  a  little  above  medium  height,  with  a  fair,  open 
face,  a  pleasing,  magnetic  gray  eye  somewhat  deeply  set,  and  hair  slightly 
curled  at  the  ends.  In  1668,  after  four  years'  residence  in  the  fort,  he 
was  succeeded  by  Sir  Francis  Lovelace,  "a  gallant  soldier  and  accom 
plished  gentleman,"  writes  Dr.  George  H.  Moore,  "  who  was  himself  a 
poet  and  an  artist."  He  was  a  handsome,  agreeable,  polished  man  of  the 
world— upright,  generous,  and  amiable.  One  of  the  most  important  acts 
of  his  administration  was  the  purchase  of  Staten  Island  from  the  Indian 


VIEW    OF  THE   SITE   OF   THE   OLD    FORT    IN    1889. 

[from  a  photograph^} 


sachems;  the  surveyors  who  explored  that  property  reported  that  it  was 
"the  commodiosest  seate  and  richest  land  in  America."  The  two  Dutch 
admirals  who  recovered  New  York  for  the  Dutch  in  1673,  made  Governor 
Lovelace  a  prisoner  and  raised  the  three-colored  ensign  of  the  republic 
over  the  fort,  spent  very  little  time  in  it  ;  but  Anthony  Colve,  who  was 
appointed  by  them  to  the  chief  command,  took  possession  of  and  had  a 
merry  time  in  the  governor's  house  ;  it  is  said  that  he  gave  more  dinners 
and  disposed  of  more  wine  than  any  of  its  former  occupants.  He  was 
a  short,  stout,  dark-complexioned  Dutchman,  of  some  military  renown 
among  his  contemporaries.  He  amused  himself  with  assuming  princely 
airs,  and  guarding  well  the  gates— for  little  New  York  was  then  a  walled 


6o 


HISTORIC   HOMES  AND    LANDMARKS 


city.  Peace  in  Europe  and  the  general  restoration  of  conquests  soon 
followed,  and  then  came  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  "glittering  in  gold  and 
lace,"  a  gentleman  who  had  been  brought  up  in  the  king's  household,  of 
which  his  father  was  master  of  ceremonies.  On  the  loth  of  November, 

1678,  he  took  formal  possession  of  the 
citadel,  and  one  of  the  friendly  inci 
dents  of  the  occasion  was  the  presen 
tation  by  Colve  of  his  coach  and  three 
horses  to  Sir  Edmund.  The  next  day 
was  the  Sabbath,  and  it  is  recorded 
that  the  new  governor  attended  divine 
service  in  the  old  church  in  the  fort, 
as  was  his  habit  subsequently  during 
his  entire  administration.  He  was  re 
called  in  i68i,and  Lieutenant-Governor 
Anthony  Brockholls  commanded  in 
his  place.  In  1683  Governor  Thomas 
Dongan  became  the  occupant  of  the 
governor's  house,  although  he  soon 
provided  himself  with  another  resi 
dence.  In  1686  Andros  was  sent  over 
to  govern  New  England,  which  had 
been  extended  to  embrace  New  York 

where  was  stationed  his  lieutenant-governor,  Francis  Nicholson,  whose 
abode  was  in  the  house  in  the  fort.  During  the  revolutionary  months 
beginning  with  1689,  when  Jacob  Leisler  was  at  the  head  of  affairs, 
the  fortress  was  the  scene  of  many  exciting  events.  Henry  Sloughter, 
the  newly  appointed  governor  of  William  III.,  arrived  at  the  fort  on  the 
2oth  of  March,  1691.  He  died  suddenly  on  the  23d  of  July  following, 
and  Lieutenant-Governor  Ingoldsby  commanded  until  the  arrival  of 
Governor  Fletcher  in  August,  1692.  The  latter  indulged  in  the  same 
style  of  living  to  which  he  had  been  accustomed  in  England.  He 
refurnished  the  governor's  house,  his  servants  wore  handsome  livery, 
his  wife  and  daughters  dressed  in  the  latest  European  fashions,  he 
rolled  through  the  streets  in  a  carriage  drawn  by  six  horses,  and  he  was 
never  happier  than  when  extending  the  hospitalities  of  his  home  and 
his  table.  He  was  devoutly  religious  and  had  the  bell  rung  twice  every 
day  for  prayers  in  his  household.  In  his  zeal  for  the  good  of  the  church 
he  built  a  small  chapel  in  the  fort  in  1693,  and  the  queen  sent  plate, 
books,  and  other  furniture  for  it.  Little  is  known  of  its  history,  how- 


AN    EARLY    DUTCH    WINDMILL. 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 


6l 


ever,  as  it  was  burned  with  the  other  buildings  in  1741.  Fletcher 
was  succeeded  by  the  distinguished  nobleman,  Lord  Bellomont,  in  1698, 
whose  three  years'  administration  was  more  stirring,  eventful,  and  remark 
able  in  its  consequences,  than  that  of  any  other  in  the  history  of  colonial 
New  York.  He  died  on  the  5th  of  March,  1701,  and  was  interred  with 
appropriate  ceremonies  in  the  chapel  in  the  fort.  Prior  to  the  erection 
of  the  President's  house  upon  the  site  of  the  fort  in  1789,  his  leaden  coffin 
was  tenderly  removed  to  St.  Paul's  churchyard. 

Lieutenant-Governor  Nanfan  governed  until  the  arrival  of  Lord  Corn- 
bury,  May  3d,  1702.  The  latter  was  the  first  cousin  of  Queen  Anne,  and 
heir  to  an  earldom,  with  a  handsome  face  very  like  that  of  the  queen,  and 


CASTLE    GARDEN    IN    1852. 

\From  an  old  print .] 

bland  manners,  but  he  was  vain,  arrogant,  and  weak,  and  earned  a  most 
unenviable  reputation.  He  was  succeeded  in  December,  1708,  by  John, 
Lord  Lovelace,  baron  of  Hurley,  who  was  ill  the  entire  winter,  and  died 
on  the  6th  of  the  following  May.  The  next  governor  sent  from  England 
was  Robert  Hunter,  a  strong,  active,  cultivated  man  of  middle  age,  with 
refined  tastes,  and  a  most  genial  and  delightful  companion.  He  was  fond 
of  men  of  letters,  was  a  personal  friend  of  Swift,  Addison,  Steele,  and 
other  distinguished  literary  characters  of  the  period,  and  something  of  a 
poet  himself.  He  married  the  lovely  and  accomplished  Lady  Hay,  who 
accompanied  him  to  New  York,  and  was  the  bright  particular  star  of  his 
destiny.  She  drew  about  her  a  "  court  circle,"  in  which  the  same  etiquette 
and  ceremony  were  observed  as  in  the  higher  European  coteries.  Hunter 


62 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


purchased  a  house  in  Amboy,  which  was  his  official  residence  while  on  his 
tours  of  duty  in  New  Jersey,  and  to  which  he  often  retired  in  the  heat  of 
summer.  One  winter,  at  his  home  in  the  fort,  he  composed  a  farce, 

assisted  by  the  clever  and  witty  Lewis  Morris,  called  "  Androborus  " the 

man-eater  —  in 
which  the 
clergy,  Nichol 
son,  and  the 
New  York 
Assembly  were 
so  humorously 
exposed  that  it 
provoked  uni 
versal  m  e  r  r  i  - 
ment. 

Following 
Hunter,  in 
1720,  came 
Govern  o  r 
William  Bur- 
net,  son  of  the 
celebrated 

DESTRUCTION    OF     THE    STATUE    OF    KING    GEORGE    III.  "R '     V»  "R  f 

{This  equestrian  statue,  by  Wilton,  of  London,  was  erected  in  the  Bowling  Green       TT  •          J  ^ 

in  1770.     It  was  pulled  down  on  the  evening  of  July  9,  1776,  amid  the  ringing  of  bells  IS  aQVei  *  was 


and  jubilant  shouts  of  the  multitude^ 


an   occasion  of 


special  interest. 

The  fort  was  dressed  in  its  best,  the  military  paraded  in  full  uniform,  the 
whole  city  was  alive  with  banners,  and  the  cannon  spoke  an  uproarious 
welcome.  He  was  a  large,  handsome  man,  of  stately  presence,  affable  and 
captivating.  The  ladies  all  proceeded  to  fall  in  love  with  him.  He  was 
a  widower,  and  within  a  few  months  married  the  pretty  daughter  of  Abra 
ham  Van  Home,  one  of  his  counselors.  The  fort  henceforward  was  the 
scene  of  many  festivities.  Burnet  bought  Hunter's  house  in  Amboy  for  a 
summer  retreat,  and  spent  a  part  of  every  year  there  until  his  removal  in 
1728  to  the  government  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire.  His 
successor  in  New  York  was  Governor  John  Montgomery,  fresh  from  the 
king's  court,  a  soldier  by  profession,  who  knew  something  of  diplomacy, 
but  had  very  slight  capacity  for  governing.  He  died  suddenly  on  the  1st 
of  July,  1731.  Governor  William  Cosby,  who  was  appointed  in  his  place, 
and  arrived  in  the  summer  of  1732,  brought  his  wife  and  young  lady 


HISTROIC    HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS  63 

daughters  with  him,  and  they  attracted  great  attention.  Their  house  in 
the  fort  soon  became  the  scene  of  brilliant  entertainments,  which  brought 
together  the  beauty,  wit,  and  culture  of  the  capital.  The  young  noble 
man,  Lord  Augustus  Fitzroy,  son  of  the  duke  of  Grafton,  then  lord 
chamberlain  to  the  king,  was  for  some  weeks  the  guest  of  the  governor 
and  his  family  in  their  house  in  the  fort.  He  was  in  love  with  one  of  the 
governor's  daughters,  but  neither  father  nor  mother  dared  consent  to  the 
marriage,  for,  according  to  the  standard  of  society  in  England,  the  match 
was  beneath  him.  The  young  people  finally  settled  the  question  for 


ViKW    FROM    THE    BOWLING    GREEN    IN   THE    REVOLUTION. 

[From  an  old  print.'] 

themselves.  A  clergyman  was  adroitly  assisted  over  the  rear  wall  of  the 
fort,  and  performed  the  ceremony  in  secret  without  a  license.  Another 
romantic  wedding  occurred  within  the  fort  a  little  later — Miss  Grace 
Cosby,  the  second  daughter  of  the  governor,  being  united  to  Thomas 
Freeman.  Three  days  after  these  nuptials  the  mayor  of  the  city,  the 
recorder,  aldermen,  assistants,  and  all  the  other  city  dignitaries,  marched 
in  a  body  to  the  gubernatorial  residence  in  the  fort,  and  in  the  most  stately 
and  formal  manner  congratulated  the  lovely  Grace  upon  her  marriage, 
and  then  said  : 

"  This  corporation  being  desirous  upon  all  occasions  to  demonstrate  the  great  defer 
ence  they   have   and  justly  entertain  for  his  excellency,  William  Cosby,  and  for  his  noble 


64 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


THE    GOLD    BOX    OF   THE    CORPORATION,    CONTAINING 
THE   FREEDOM    OF   THE   CITY. 


family,  have  ordered  that  the  honorable 
Major  Alexander  Cosby,  brother  to  his 
excellency,  and.  lieutenant-governor  of  his 
majesty's  garrison  of  Annapolis  Royal, 
recently  arrived,  and  Thomas  Freeman, 
the  governor's  son-in-law,  be  presented 
with  the  freedom  of  the  city  in  a  gold  box." 

Cosby  was  the  most  generally 
disliked  of  any  governor  since  Corn- 
bury.  During  his  brief  administra 
tion  the  great  Zenger  trial  occurred, 
of  which  the  world  has  heard  so 
much,  and  he  was  in  perpetual  con 
flicts  with  some  of  the  best  men  in 
the  province.  From  this  troublous 

epoch  arose  two  great  parties,  differing  materially  from  those  which  had 
previously  shaken  New  York,  and  which  ever  afterward  divided  the 
people  of  the  province.  Cosby  died  March  10,  1736,  and  the  house  in 
the  fort  was  again  vacant.  George  Clarke,  one  of  the  counselors,  who 
had  been  secretary  of  the  province,  and  in  public  life  in  the  city  since 
1703,  took  charge  of  affairs,  and  was  subsequently  commissioned  lieuten 
ant-governor.  He  was  from  a  prominent  English  family,  and  his  wife 
was  Ann  Hyde,  the  cousin  of  Queen  Anne.  He  removed  his  family 
to  the  house  in  the  fort,  and  assumed  all  the  powers  and  consequence 
of  an  executive  chief.  Mrs.  Clarke  was  one  of  the  most  charming  of 
women,  and  greatly  beloved  ;  it  is  said  that  her  sweetness  of  temper 
was  such  that  nothing  could  ruffle  it  or  draw  an  unkind  criticism  from 
her  lips.  Her  generosity  to  the  poor  gave  her  the  title  of  "  Lady 
Bountiful,"  She  died  in  the  spring  of  1740,  and  the  whole  city  was 
in  tears.  Clarke's  seven  years'  administration  was  made  memorable  in 
history  by  the  great  negro  plot  of  1741.  In  March  of  that  year  his 
home  in  the  fort  was  totally  consumed  by  fire  one  morning,  together 
with  the  little  chapel,  secretary's  office,  and  several  adjoining  build 
ings.  A  new  governor's  house  was  accordingly  built,  which  was  ready 
to  receive  Admiral  Sir  George  Clinton  on  his  arrival  in  September, 
1743.  He  landed  at  a  new  battery  which  had  recently  been  constructed 
at  the  foot  of  Whitehall  Street,  and  was  ceremoniously  conducted  to 
the  fort,  the  way  being  lined  with  soldiers  in  full  dress,  where  he  was 
treated  to  an  elegant  luncheon  with  many  wines,  and  thence,  as  was 
customary  on  all  such  occasions,  proceeded  to  the  City  Hall  in  Wall 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 


Street,  where  his 
commission  was 
published,  and 
the-  oaths  of 
office  adminis 
tered. 

Clinton's  wife 
and  several  chil 
dren  a  c  c  o  m  - 
panied  him  to 
New  York,  and 
the  greater  part 
of  each  year  the 
fort  was  their 
home.  As  gov 
ernor  of  a  very 
refractory  prov 
ince,  he  had  an 

,  CELEBRATION    OF  THE   ADOPTION    OF   THE    CONSTITUTION   IN    1788. 

uneasy    and     an 

,     .  [  The  most  imposing  part  of  the  gorgeous  pageant  was  the  Federal  ship  on  wheels, 

Unenviable  w.th  Hamilton^s   name  emblazoned   upon   each  side  of  it,  its  crew  going  through 

Career          He    Was  every   nautical  preparation   and   movement  for  storms,  calms,  and  squalls,  as  it 

,  moved  slowly  thro:igh  the  streets  of  New  York  City.     When   opposite  the  Bowling 

Constantly  Qreena  salute  of  thirteen  guns  was  fired. ~\ 

engaged  in  un 
profitable  quarrels,  and  was  treated  with  less  respect  by  the  principal 
New  York  men  and  by  the  assembly  than  any  English  officer  who  had 
hitherto  governed  the  colony.  He  entertained  many  visitors,  among 
whom  was  Governor  Shirley,  of  Massachusetts,  into  whose  ear  he  poured 
his  woes.  Sir  William  Johnson  was  often  his  guest.  He  finally  lost  his 
health  as  well  as  his  temper,  and  pleaded  for  permission  to  return  to 
England.  Sir  Danvers  Osborne,  brother-in-law  of  the  earl  of  Halifax, 
a  gentleman  whose  birth,  connections,  education,  and  excellent  character 
fitted  him  admirably  for  the  place,  was  sent  to  New  York  to  relieve 
Clinton  in  1753,  and  at  the  same  time  a  commission  as  lieutenant- 
governor  was  forwarded  to  Chief  Justice  James  De  Lancey.  As  the 
latter  was  one  of  the  most  unbending  of  the  opponents  of  Clinton's 
measures,  and  the  people  were  uproarious  with  joy,  the  effect  was  most 
depressing  to  the  new-comer.  Sir  Danvers  landed  on  Sunday,  October 
7,  and  Clinton  being  at  his  country  seat  in  Flushing,  Joseph  Murray, 
one  of  the  counselors,  whose  wife  was  Governor  Cosby's  daughter,  and  a 
relative  of  the  late  Lady  Osborne,  entertained  him  at  his  own  residence. 


66 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


THE    KENNEDY'    HOUSE,  NO.    I    BROADWAY,    OVERLOOKING   THE    BOWLING    GREEN. 


On  Monday  Clinton 
came  to  town,  and  an 
elegant  dinner  was 
given  to  the  two  gov 
ernors  by  the  counsel 
ors.  On  Wednesday, 
at  the  council-chamber 
in  the  fort,  Clinton 
administered  the  oath 
of  office  to  Sir  Dan- 
vers,  and  delivered 
(very  reluctantly)  the 
commission  to  De 
Lancey.  A  procession 
was  then  formed  ac 
cording  to  ancient 
usage,  and  the  new 
govern  or  was  con 
ducted  to  the  City 
Hall  to  publish  his 

commission.  The  party  was  scarcely  outside  the  fort  when  De  Lancey 
was  cheered  enthusiastically,  while  Clinton  was  so  grossly  insulted  by  the 
rabble  that,  to  his  intense  mortification,  he  was  obliged  to  turn  back  for 
refuge  in  the  fort.  Sir  Danvers  walked  in  silence  beside  the  counselors, 
closely  observing  the  noisy  shouts  of  gladness  with  which  De  Lancey  was 
greeted  on  every  side.  After  his  return  to  the  council-chamber  he 
received  the  address  of  the  city  corporation  ;  another  dinner  was  given 
to  the  two  governors  in  the  afternoon,  and  in  the  evening  the  city  was 
illuminated  and  brilliant  fire-works  displayed.  Sir  Danvers,  however, 
was  gloomy  and  silent.  He  told  Clinton  he  expected  like  treatment  to 
that  which  he  had  received  ;  and  he  remarked  to  De  Lancey,  "  I  shall 
soon  leave  you  the  government."  Before  the  week  ended,  the  city 
was  shocked  by  the  announcement  that  the  new  governor  had  hanged 
himself.  He  had  become  convinced  that  he  never  could  carry  out  his 
instructions  from  the  king,  particularly  in  relation  to  compelling  a  per 
manent  revenue  from  New  York.  De  Lancey  henceforward  governed 
the  colony  until  the  arrival  of  Sir  Charles  Hardy  in  1754,  who,  like 
Clinton,  as  an  unlettered  admiral,  was  better  suited  to  the  naval  service, 
and  the  lords  of  trade  soon  made  him  a  rear-admiral,  and  he  sailed 
away.  De  Lancey  again  took  the  oaths  and  continued  in  the  supreme 


HISTORIC   HOiMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


THE    FIELD    BUILDING,    ON      THE    SITE    OF   THE    KENNEDY    HOUSE.       THE    BOWLING    GREEN    IN    1889. 

command  until  his  death  in  1760,  Dr.  Cadwallader  Golden,  as  senior 
counselor,  succeeded  him,  and  shortly  received  the  appointment  of  lieu 
tenant-governor,  which  post  he  filled  fourteen  years,  much  of  the  time 
wielding  supreme  command.  The  four  Britons  who  followed  as  chiefs  of 
the  colony,  prior  to  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  were  Major-General 
Monckton  in  1761,  for  a  brief  period  ;  Sir  Henry  Moore  in  1765,  who  died  in 
the  fort  in  1769;  the  earl  of  Dunmore  in  1770,  occupying  the  executive 
chair  nine  months  ;  and  Sir  William  Tryon,  Bart.,  in  1771. 


68  HISTORIC    HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 

Meanwhile,  four  native  New-Yorkers  as  senior  counselors  had  each 
administered  the  affairs  of  the  colony  under  the  crown — Abraham  de 
Peyster  in  1701,  following  the  death  of  Lord  Bellomont ;  Dr.  Gerardus 
Beekman  in  1/09,  following  the  death  of  Lord  Lovelace;  Peter  Schuyler 
in  1/19,  following  the  resignation  of  Hunter;  and  Rip  van  Dam  in  1731, 
following  the  death  of  Montgomery.  These  eminent  characters,  as  well  as 
the  other  counselors  from  time  to  time,  were  more  or  less  associated  with 
the  old  historic  fort.  Ever  since  Lord  Bellomont's  day  New  York  had 
been  growing  affluent  and  aristocratic.  The  landed  gentry  had  city  homes 
for  the  winter,  as  a  rule,  and  lived  in  what  Englishmen  called  "  gilded 
luxury."  There  were  many  importing  merchants  in  New  York  owning 
their  own  ships,  who  accumulated  vast  wealth  in  commercial  enterprises, 
and  in  their  frequent  trips  to  European  countries  were  perfectly  familiar 
with  the  style  of  living  among  the  best  people  of  the  world.  Children 
were  sent  abroad  to  be  educated  much  more  frequently  than  now.  At 
social  entertainments  guests  were  nearly  all  of  one  class,  the  majority  were 
related  by  blood  or  marriage,  and  the  etiquette  of  foreign  courts  was 
observed  with  a  nicety  that  can  scarcely  be  comprehended  in  this  demo 
cratic  generation. 

Opposite  the  fort,  on  the  site  of  the  present  Field  building,  stood  the 
well-known  Kennedy  house,  No.  I  Broadway,  of  late  years  the  Washing 
ton  hotel.  Captain  Archibald  Kennedy,  for  whom  it  was  named,  was 
the  son  of  Hon.  Archibald  Kennedy,  receiver-general,  and  counselor 
through  many  decades  to  a  long  line  of  governors  residing  in  the  fort.  He 
left  a  handsome  private  fortune  to  his  son,  the  young  captain  in  the  royal 
navy  above  mentioned,  who  married  Catharine,  the  only  daughter  of  the 
brave  Colonel  Peter  Schuyler  of  New  Jersey,  who  made  such  a  brilliant 
record  in  the  French  and  Indian  war.  The  bride,  whose  mother  was  the 
daughter  of  John  Walter,  a  man  of  great  wealth,  residing  in  Hanover  square, 
inherited  three  distinct  fortunes,  that  of  her  father,  that  of  her  grandfather 
.Walter,  and  that  of  Richard  Jones;  but  she  did  not  live  long  to  enjoy  her 
riches.  The  site  of  the  Kennedy  house  was  originally  the  property  of  Arent 
Schuyler,  brother  of  Peter  Schuyler  first  mayor  of  Albany,  and  the  father 
of  Colonel  Peter,  of  later  renown.  Eve,  the  daughter  of  Arent  Schuyler, 
married  Peter  Bayard,  to  whom  in  his  will  Schuyler  gave  the  lot  of  ground 
on  lower  Broadway;  in  June,  1745,  according  to  the  abstract  of  title,  Mrs. 
Eve  Bayard,  then  a  widow,  sold  the  lot  to  Archibald  Kennedy,  the  wit 
nesses  to  the  sale  being  Philip  Van  Cortlandt  and  Colonel  Peter  Schuyler, 
her  brother.  The  house  was  designed  after  the  most  approved  English 
model.  It  had  a  broad,  handsome  front,  with  a  carved  doorway,  broad 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS  69 

halls,  grand  staircases,  and  spacious  rooms.  The  parlor  was  some  fifty 
feet  long,  with  a  graceful  bow  opening  upon  a  rear  porch,  large  enough  for 
a  cotillion  party.  The  banqueting  hall  was  a  magnificent  apartment,  with 
walls  and  ceilings  artistically  decorated.  In  its  palmy  days  its  grounds 
extended  to  the  water's  edge,  and  were  handsomely  terraced  and  culti 
vated  with  fastidious  care.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Captain 
Kennedy  married  Ann  Watts,  the  daughter  of  Hon.  John  Watts,  whose 
home  was  a  great  old-time  edifice  adjoining  that  of  Kennedy.  The  rooms 
in  the  second  stories  of  the  two  houses  were  connected  by  a  staircase  and 
bridge  in  the  rear,  for  convenience  when  either  family  gave  large  parties. 
The  Watts  garden  like  those  of  its  neighbors  extended  to  the  water,  and 
was  overlooked  by  a  broad  piazza  that  was  often  kissed  by  the  spray  in  a 
high  wind.  Kennedy  afterward  became  the  eleventh  earl  of  Cassalis,  and 
his  eldest  son,  born  in  this  house,  was  not  only  the  twelfth  earl  of  Cassalis, 
but  the  first  marquis  of  Ailsa. 

Lieutenant-Governor  James  De  Lancey's  home,  at  the  time  he  received 
his  commission  from  the  king,  was  a  spacious  mansion  in  Broadway,  on 
the  site  of  the  present  Boreel  building.  Much  has  been  said  about  the 
historic  associations  of  the  old  City  Hotel,  but  prior  to  1793  the  explorers 
of  to-day  seem  to  extract  very  little  light.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that 
the  entire  block  above  Trinity  church  was  the  site  formerly  of  one^of  the 
handsomest  private  dwellings  in  New  York.  It  was  erected  by  Etienne 
De  Lancey  (or  Stephen,  as  Anglicized),  the  son  of  a  French  Huguenot 
nobleman,  who  brought  to  New  York  in  1686  many  evidences  of  wealth 
and  culture.  He  engaged  in  commercial  enterprises,  and  became  one  of 
the  richest  men  in  the  province.  In  1700,  he  married  the  daughter  of 
Hon.  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  the  latter  conveyed  to  him  the 
property  in  Pearl  Street,  corner  of  Broad,  on  which  he  built  the  old  home 
stead,  still  standing  with  two  added  stories,  and  known  as  "  Fraunces' 
Tavern,"  which  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  labeled  with  a  crude 
board  sign  bearing  the  words  '"'  Washington's  Headquarters,"  it  having 
been  immortalized  by  the  presence  of  our  great  chief,  and  particularly  as 
the  scene  of  Washington's  parting  with  his  officers  at  the  close  of  the 
Revolution.  After  residing  in  this  home  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  or 
more,  feienne  De  Lancey  moved  into  his  new  and  larger  house  in  Broad 
way,  which  at  his  death,  in  1741,  became  the  property  of  his  eldest  son, 
James,  the  lieutenant-governor.  It  was  an  immense  edifice  for  the  period, 
all  its  decorations  and  appointments  costly  and  elegant,  and  it  was 
encircled  by  balconies,  with  a  broad  piazza  on  the  river  side,  command 
ing  one  of  the  most  beautiful  views  in  the  world,  while  its  cultivated 


70  HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 

gardens  and  grounds  with  winding  walks  and  stairs  extended  to  the 
water's  edge.  What  is  now  Thames  Street  was  the  carriage-way  to  the 
stables. 

Admiral  Sir  Peter  Warren  was  one  of  the  frequent  and  favored  guests 
in  this  New  York  home,  and  here  he  courted  and  married  Susan,  the 
beautiful  daughter  of  Etienne  De  Lancey.  It  was  here  also  that  her  cap 
tivating  sister  Anne,  the  belle  of  the  household,  gave  her  heart  and  hand 
to  John  WTatts,  who,  like  her  brother  James,  had  been  liberally  educated 
in  Europe.  One  of  the  tutors  of  young  De  Lancey  at  Cambridge  was 
Dr.  Thomas  Herring,  who  became  successively  Bishop  of  Bangor,  Arch 
bishop  of  York,  and  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  the  master  and  pupil 
kept  up  an  intimacy  by  letter  long  after  the  one  became  primate  of  all 
England  and  the  other  chief-justice  and  lieutenant-governor  of  New  York. 
The  genius  and  marvelous  abilities  of  James  De  Lancey  have  rendered  him 
a  conspicuous  figure  of  the  century  prior  to  the  Revolution.  No  ruler 
of  the  province,  foreign  or  domestic,  ever  exerted  more  healthful  influ 
ence,  or  possessed  to  such  a  degree  the  elements  of  popularity.  His 
bearing  was  princely,  as  if  born  to  command  ;  but  the  people,  knowing 
that  he  was  the  richest  man  in  America,  instead  of  a  foreign  invader 
seeking  to  enrich  himself  with  their  surplus  earnings,  pinned  their  faith 
to  his  honesty,  because  he  could  have,  they  thought,  no  possible  motive 
for  stealing  the  public  money.  He  was  intellectually  strong,  extremely 
affable  and  condescending  to  inferiors,  and  his  scholarship,  culture,  mag 
netic  presence,  vivacity,  and  wit  made  him  a  favorite  with  all  classes. 
His  political  opponents  were  many  and  sometimes  atrociously  mali 
cious,  and  he  could  not  with  grace  tolerate  opinions  differing  from 
his  own — was  haughty  and  overbearing  whenever  he  was  thwarted 
in  his  purposes.  At  the  same  time,  neither  the  elegance  of  his 
style  of  living  nor  his  beautiful  horses  and  gilded  chariot,  with  out 
riders  in  handsome  livery,  excited  envy  or  criticism*  New  York  was 
proud  of  him.  His  tact  and  statesmanship  were  brought  into  full  play 
after  the  suicide  of  Sir  Danvers  Osborne,  in  adjusting  the  permanent 
revenue  question,  which  had  rankled  for  two-thirds  of  a  century,  and 
been  the  source  of  more  torment  to  the  English  governors,  and  angry 
retort  and  resistance  on  the  part  of  New  York's  little  parliament,  than 
all  other  subjects  combined.  De  Lancey.  as  a  jurist  of  great  legal  acumen, 
had  repeatedly  advised  the  legislators  never  to  submit  to  the  unreason 
able  demands  of  the  crown.  As  a  full-fledged  officer  of  the  crown  he 
must  now  obey  instructions,  the  same  as  those  which  his  predecessors 
had  found  so  thorny.  The  difficulty  of  the  position  was  only  equaled  by 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 

its  delicacy.     In  address 
ing   the    assembly    he 
chose    such    language    as 
won    the     confidence     of 
the   ministry,   and  at  the 
same    time  convinced  his 
audience  that  he  was  not 
about    to    compel    obedi 
ence  to  ministerial  orders. 
He    urged    that    support- 
bills   should  be  so  framed 
that  he  could  act  in  rela 
tion    to    them    consistent 
with    his    official    duty— 
and    the    members     were 
unruffled,    believing    that 
the    genius    of    the    man 
who  had  been  their  chief 
adviser  for  twenty  years, 
and  had  proved   himself  a 
lover   of    the    country   of 
his  birth  as  well  as  a  just 
judge,  would  guide   them 
safely    even    through    the 
perils  of   continued  oppo 
sition.     When   the  bill   for  his   salary   on   the  old  plan  was  sent  for  his 
approval,    he    promptly    rejected    it,    and    sent    all   the    resolutions    and 
addresses  concerning  the  measure  to  the  ministry,  and  whenever  he  could 
do  so  with  propriety  he  wrote  to  the  chief  men  in   England  counseling 
concession  to  the  iron  opinions  and  wishes  of  New  York. 

He  continued  to  decline  assenting  to  the  annual  money  bills,  and  for 
three  years  received  no  salary.  Finally,  the  battle  was  won  in  triumph 
for  New  York,  the  ministry  in  1756.  assenting  to  annual  support-bills  for 
the  future,  and  the  spirited  controversy  was  settled.  De  Lancey  was  in 
correspondence  personally,  as  well  as  officially,  with  English  statesmen 
during  the  critical  period  of  the  war  with  France,  and  his  opinions  and 
suggestions  were  noted  and  quoted  at  the  court  of  St.  James.  He  did 
not  live  long  enough  to  exert  his  powerful  influence  against  taxing  the 
colonies.  The  French  war  had  proved  severely  costly,  and  the  lords,  while 
sipping  their  wine  at  the  king's  table,  said  there  was  wealth  enough  in 


CHANCELLOR    ROBERT    R.    LIVINGSTON. 

{.After  painting  in  possession  of  New  York  Historical  Society. .] 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 


CITy    HOTEL,    ON    HISTORIC   SITE   OF   THE   OLD    DE   LANCEY   HOME.      TRINITY   AND    GRACE   CHURCHES   IN    1831. 

[From  an  eld  print.} 


New  York  alone  to  pay  the  whole  debt  of  England,  and  graphic  stories 
were  told  of  the  triumphal  reception  and  prodigal  entertainments  given  to 
officers  of  the  British  army  in  the  spring  of  1760,  with  special  descriptions 
of  the  display  of  "  brilliant  massive  silver  "  at  William  Walton's  dinners 
in  the  old  Walton  house  in  Franklin  square.  The  colonists,  they  argued, 
were  wasting  their  substance  in  mad  extravagance.  The  next  day  in  par 
liament  the  subject  assumed  grave  proportions.  Before  the  news  of  how 
this  logic  was  being  turned  to  account  reached  New  York,  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor  De  Lancey  suddenly  died  at  his  beautiful  country-seat  in  the 
Bowery,  just  above  Canal  Street,  3<Dth  July,  1760.  His  sister,  Lady  War 
ren,  who  was  in  England,  went  immediately  to  Secretary  Pitt  and  asked 
that  her  younger  brother,  Oliver  De  Lancey,  might  be  appointed  to  the 
vacant  office.  The  minister  received  the  application  coldly.  "  I  hope," 
exclaimed  the  lady  with  warmth,  "  that  you  have  had  reason  to  be  satisfied 
with  the  brother  I  have  lost  ?  " 

"  Madam,"  was  the  answer,  "  had  your  brother  James  lived  in  England, 
he  would  have  been  one  of  the  first  men  in  the  kingdom." 


HISTORIC   HOMES  AND   LANDMARKS 


73 


THE    BOREEL   BUILDING,    ON    HISTORIC   SITE    OF   CITY    HOTEL.      VIEW    OF   TRINITY   CHURCH    IN    1889. 


74  HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 

The  mansion  in  Broadway  then  became  the  property  of  the  lieutenant- 
governor's  eldest  son,  James,  by  whom  it  was  given  by  deed,  i6th  May, 
1765,  to  his  brother  John  Peter,  the  younger  son  of  the  lieutenant-governor, 
who  was  sent  to  England  to  be  educated — at  Harrow  and  at  the  mili 
tary  school  of  Greenwich — and  after  a  time  entered  the  British  army,  but 
took  no  part  in  the  war  with  America  ;  thus  his  estates  were  not  confiscated. 
This  edifice,  being  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  city,  was  rented  for  a 
hotel.  It  had  various  proprietors  by  whose  names  it  was  successively 
called,  and  for  nearly  three  decades  it  was  the  leading  public  house,  the 
Delmonico  of  the  time.  During  the  Revolution  it  was  the  favorite  resort 
of  the  British  officers  on  account  of  its  piazzas  and  balconies,  and  its  prox 
imity  to  the  fashionable  promenade  in  front  of  Trinity  church,  called 
"  The  Mall."  It  had  a  great  ball-room,  where  dancing  assemblies  and 
concerts  and  grand  dinner-parties  were  given.  It  was  the  scene  of  the 
great  ball  given  on  the  7th  of  May,  1789,  in  honor  of  Washington's  inau 
guration  as  President — usually  spoken  of  as  the  first  "  inauguration  ball." 

Having  returned  from  England  to  reside  permanently  in  New  York, 
John  Peter  De  Lancey  took  advantage  of  the  rise  in  real  estate  and  sold  this 
property,  conveying  it  by  deed  on  the  23d  of  March,  1793,  to  Philip  Liv 
ingston,  John  Watts,  Thomas  Buchanan,  Gulian  Verplanck,  James  Watson, 
Moses  Rogers,  James  Farquhar,  Richard  Harrison,  and  Daniel  Ludlow, 
in  trust  "  for  all  the  subscribers  to  the  New  York  Tontine  Hotel  and 
Assembly  Room,  upon  such  conditions,  and  with  right  of  survivorship,  as 
should  be  settled  by  the  majority  of  the  said  subscribers  or  their  represen 
tatives."  The  consideration  was  ^"6,000  New  York  currency.  This  "  syn 
dicate,"  as  it  would  now  be  called,  pulled  the  old  house  down  and  built 
the  City  Hotel.  Its  history  from  that  date  until  1849,  ^  recited,  would  fill 
a  volume  replete  with  instructive  and  captivating  incidents.  Its  great 
banqueting  hall  accommodated  five  hundred  guests  at  table.  This  hotel 
was  for  a  long  period  the  only  place  in  the  city  where  large  public  enter 
tainments  could  be  given.  It  stood  until  1849,  wnen  it  was  taken  down 
and  a  row  of  brown-stone  stores  erected  on  its  site.  The  estate,  purchased 
by  John  Jacob  Astor,  was  settled  upon  his  granddaughter,  Sarah  Langdon, 
who  married  Francis  R.  Boreel,  a  Dutch  nobleman,  chamberlain  to  the 
king  of  Holland,  and  who  a  few  years  since  removed  the  stores  and 
erected  the  great  Boreel  building  on  the  historic  site. 

The  quarter  nearest  the  fort  was  the  court  end  of  the  town  prior  to  the 
Revolution,  although  a  few  consequential  families  had  even  then  removed 
to  Wall  Street  and  vicinity.  The  west  side  of  Broadway  was  a  charming 
place  of  residence  until  streets  came  to  pass  between  them  and  the  river, 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


75 


VIEW    OF    BROADWAY    FROM   THE    BOWLING    GREEN,    1828. 

[From  an  old  print.} 


and  nothing  could  exceed  the  beauty  of  the  outlook  from  the  State  Street 
mansions  below  the  fort,  which  remain  to  this  day.  The  third  house  in  the 
Broadway  row,  adjoining  that  of  Hon.  John  Watts,  was  the  home  of 
Judge  Robert  R.  Livingston,  father  of  the  chancellor,  who  died  in  1776. 
The  journey  of  this  family  to  and  from  their  manor-house  at  Clermont 
every  spring  and  autumn  was  imposing,  for  they  were  attended  by  a  long 
train  of  men-servants  and  maid-servants,  and  the  transportation  by  sloop 
or  by  land  occupied  many  days.  At  the  time  of  Washington's  inaugura 
tion  this  house  was  occupied  by  Chancellor  Livingston,  and  it  was  here 
that  Washington  came  to  see  the  fireworks  on  the  evening  of  that  memor 
able  day,  April  30,  1789. 

Next  to  this  stood  the  interesting  home  of  John  Stevens,  one  of  the 
counselors  until  1776,  whose  wife  was  the  daughter  of  the  great  lawyer  and 
mathematician,  James  Alexander,  and  the  sister  of  Lord  Stirling.  Their 
daughter  became  the  wife  of  Chancellor  Livingston;  and  their  son  John, 
born  in  1749,  who  was  associated  with  this  old  mansion  through  all  his  school 
days,  graduating  from  King's  college  in  1768  (in  the  same  class  with  Egbert 
Benson,  Gouverneur  Morris,  and  Bishop  Moore)  was  the  celebrated  inventor 
of  steamships,  who  owned  the  whole  of  what  is  now  Hoboken,  where  he 
had  a  summer  residence.  He  and  his  son,  Robert  Livingston  Stevens, 


76  HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 

were  the  foremost  men  of  any  country  to  venture  upon  the  ocean  in  a 
vessel  relying  entirely  upon  steam  power.  The  next  two  houses,  Nos.  9 
and  n,  were  built  together,  presenting  a  peculiar  front,  but  they  were 
deep,  and  much  more  roomy  than  they  seemed  to  the  passer-by,  and  had 
extensive  grounds  in  the  rear  filled  with  shubbery  and  flowers.  They  were 
originally  the  property  of  the  Van  Cortlandts  of  Kingsbridge ;  No.  II 
was  the  inheritance  of  Eve,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Frances  Jay  Van 
Cortlandt,  who  married  Hon.  Henry  White,  the  counselor  and  one  of  the 
founders  and  fourth  president  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  White  was 
notably  one  of  the  consignees  of  the  tea — forbidden  merchandise — the 
shipment  of  which  caused  such  excitement  in  the  winter  of  i773-'/4. 
The  tea-ships  reached  Boston  first,  and  the  world  is  aware  how  the  issue 
was  met.  But  every  one  may  not  be  so  well  informed  as  to  the  peremptory 
and  public  manner  in  which  New  York  sent  back  her  tea-ship  to  the 
country  whence  it  came  without  permitting  the  tea  to  be  landed.  All  the 
bells  in  the  city  rang  for  an  hour  without  stopping  while  the  captain  was 
being  escorted  from  his  lodgings  to  the  wharf  at  the  Battery,  the  band 
playing  meanwhile  "  God  save  the  King  ;  "  and  an  immense  but  orderly 
crowd  watched  his  embarkation  and  the  departure  of  the  vessel  in  a  man 
ner  that  expressed  the  sense  of  the  community.  White  had  no  sympathy 
with  the  patriots.  He  went  to  England  when  the  city  was  evacuated  in 
1783*  where  he  died  in  1786.  His  estates  were  among  the  earliest  confis 
cated.  His  residence  had  been  in  Queen  Street,  nearly  opposite  Pine,  in 
the  elegant  old  mansion  built  by  Treasurer  Abraham  de  Peyster  in  1695, 
and  purchased  by  White  after  the  death  of  Abraham  de  Peyster,  Jr.,  in  1769. 
It  was  a  great  double  house,  three  stories  high,  the  grounds  occupying  the 
whole  block,  with  a  coach-house  and  stable  in  the  rear.  It  is  interesting 
to  note  in  this  connection  that  Governor  George  Clinton  was  living  in  this 
house  at  the  time  of  the  inauguration  of  our  first  President,  and  that  it 
was  where  Washington  as  President-elect,  and  the  committees  by  whom  he 
was  received,  dined  on  the  23d  of  April,  1789,  the  day  of  his  arrival  in 
New  York  from  Mount  Vernon. 

Mrs.  White  did  not  accompany  her  husband  to  England.  She  had 
great  wealth  of  her  own,  and  her  daughters  were  gifted,  beautiful,  and 
much  admired  in  society.  Margaret  became  the  wife  of  Peter  Jay  Munro. 
One  of  Mrs.  White's  sons  was  Lieutenant-General  White  of  the  British 
army,  and  another  was  Rear  Admiral  White  of  the  royal  navy.  Mrs. 
White  occupied  this  house  until  her  death  in  1836,  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
nine  years.  The  two  dwellings  were  then  converted  into  a  public  house 
known  as  the  "  Atlantic  Garden,"  which  was  pulled  down  a  few  years  ago  ; 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


77 


NEAR   VIEW    OF   THE   TWO    HISTORIC    HOMES,  NOS.  Q    AND  II  BROADWAY. 
AFTER   1836   CONVERTED   INTO   THE   "ATLANTIC   GARDEN." 

curiously  enough  historic  fiction  had  misled  some  persons  into  identifying  it 
with  the  Burns  coffee-house  where  the  famous  non-importation  agreement 
was  signed,  October  31,  1765,  thus  sundry  chairs  and  canes  were  made 
from  its  rafters  to  preserve  as  precious  relics.  But  the  Burns  coffee-house 
was  farther  up  Broadway,  and  the  relics  lost  their  fancied  value. 

The  homes  of  the  Van  Homes,  the  Lawrences,  the  Ludlows,  the 
Clarksons,  and  many  others,  were  in  full  view  of  the  fort.  Hon.  David 
Clarkson  was  a  grandson  of  the  Matthew  Clarkson  who  was  thirteen  years 
secretary  of  the  province,  appointed  by  William  and  Mary,  and  connected 
with  the  English  nobility.  He  resided  in  a  grand  mansion  in  Whitehall 
Street,  corner  of  Pearl,  for  at  least  twenty-five  years  prior  to  the  Revolu 
tion—a  mansion  which  the  newspapers  of  the  day  called  an  "  ornament 
to  the  city."  His  wife  was  sister  to  the  wife  of  Governor  William  Living 
ston.  His  house  was  sumptuous  in  its  appointments,  its  furniture,  costly 
table  service,  silver-plate,  works  of  art,  and  extensive  library,  chiefly 
imported  from  London.  His  family  were  influential  in  social  affairs.  In 
1767  a  letter  appears  written  by  Mr.  Clarkson  to  a  personal  friend  in 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 


THE  CLARKSON    HOUSE,    IN    WHITEHALL   STREET. 


England,  requesting  that  the 
wife  of  his  correspondent 
shall  do  a  little  shopping  for 
Mrs.  Clarkson — to  buy  for 
her  "  twenty-four  yards  of 
best  bright  blue  satin,  and  a 
fashionable  winter  cloak  of 
crimson  satin  for  her  own 
use."  The  household  serv 
ants  were  chiefly  slaves,  as 
they  were  in  all  opulent  New 
York  families.  Mr.  Clark- 
son's  fine  house  with  all  its 
treasures  was  burned  in  1776, 
and  about  the  same  time  his 
summer  residence  in  Flat- 
bush  was  plundered  by  the 
Hessian  soldiers,  who  had  a 
royal  drunken  frolic  over  his 
choice  wines  which  they  dis 
covered.  His  son,  the  afterward  distinguished  General  Matthew  Clark- 
son,  purchased  in  1793  the  site  of  the  old  Clarkson  house  in  Whitehall 
Street,  and  built  thereon  the  substantial  three-story  brick  mansion  of  the 
sketch  in  which  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1825.  He  married  Mary, 
the  beautiful  daughter  of  Walter  Rutherfurd.  He  was  the  president  of  the 
bank  of  New  York  some  twenty-one  years,  and  his  name  is  associated 
with  the  foundation  of  nearly  all  the  early  important  societies  of  New 
York,  whether  intended  for  education,  culture,  or  charity.  Chancellor 
Kent  said  of  him :  "  It  belongs  to  Christianity  alone  to  form  and  animate 
such  a  character." 

The  great  fire  of  1776  swept  away  all  the  dwellings  on  the  north  side 
of  Whitehall  Street.  The  first  French  Huguenot  church  edifice  in  New 
York  was  built  in  Marketfield  Street  in  1688,  and  with  its  gallery,  which 
was  added  in  1692,  seated  "  from  three  to  four  hundred  persons."  The  site 
is  now  entirely  covered  by  the  Produce  Exchange,  the  west  end  of  old 
Marketfield  Street  being  closed  to  permit  its  erection.  The  governor's 
house  in  the  fort  was  burned  the  second  time  during  Governor  Sir  William 
Tryon's  administration.  It  was  a  cold  night  in  December,  1773,  and  the 
governor's  family  escaped  with  much  difficulty,  one  servant  perishing  in 
the  flames.  Tryon  then  took  up  his  abode  in  a  large  house  in  Broad 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 


79 


8o 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


Street.  Dock  Street  con 
tained  the  elegant  residence 
of  Hugh  Wallace,  who  enter 
tained  Tryon  on  his  return 
home  from  England  in  1775. 
Isaac  Low  was  his  neighbor, 
of  whom  John  Adams  said 
in  1774:  "He  is  a  gentle 
man  of  fortune  and  his  wife 
is  a  beauty." 

The  historic  homes  over 
looking  the  fort  and  the  Bay 
were  legion,  and  nearly  all 
occupied  by  families  whose 
names  are  well  represented 
in  the  New  York  of  to-day. 
When  peace  came  to  bless 
the  country,  and  a  President 
came  to  charm  New  York 
with  his  presence,  it  was  fit 
ting  that  soil  so  thoroughly 
saturated  with  historic 
reminiscence  as  the  site  of 

the  old  fort,  a  central  point  in  this  antique  vicinity,  should  be  selected 
above  all  others  for  the  erection  of  the  stately  edifice  intended  for  Presi 
dent  Washington's  home,  and  for  the  occupancy  of  all  future  heads  of  the 
nation.  After  the  seat  of  government  was  removed  to  Philadelphia  the 
structure  was  finished  and  appropriated  to  the  uses  of  the  governors  of  New 
York,  as  had  been  its  predecessors  on  the  same  ground.  It  was  con 
structed  of  red  brick,  with  Ionic  columns,  and  was  a  striking  example  of 
the  tendency  of  the  period  toward  the  severely  classical  in  domestic  archi 
tecture.  Governor  George  Clinton  was  the  first  to  reside  in  it  some  three 
or  four  years.  John  Jay,  who  had  been  the  first  chief-justice  of  the  state, 
and  the  first  chief-justice  of  the  nation,  as  well  as  one  of  the  ministers  in 
1783  who  negotiated  and  signed  the  definite  treaty  of  peace  in  Europe,  and 
the  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs  during  the  five  most  critical  years  of 
America's  history,  was  elected  governor  of  New  York  in  1795,  and  resided 
in  this  grand  house  six  years,  until  the  end  of  his  term  of  service  in  1801. 

Of  the  elegances  of  social  life  during  the  period,  of  the  beauty  and 
grace  of  Mrs.  Jay  as  the  presiding  genius  of  the  governor's  household,  of 


•      :-";  "••  •  /,,:.;• 

VfiA  ••  '••  «^i*ffi5:*>^':- •"-" 

MRS.    JOHN    JAY. 

''tfw  a  painting  in  possession  of  the  family. 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND   LANDMARKS 


8l 


JOHN   JAY,    FIRST   CHIEF-JUSTICE    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES.       GOVERNOR    OF   NEW    YORK,    1795-1801. 

the  fashionable  entertainments,  and  the  distinguished  people  who  met  in 
these  spacious  rooms,  we  obtain  glimpses  here  and  there,  but  must  leave 
our  readers  to  trace  them  between  the  lines.  A  foreign  writer  gives  us  the 
following  informing  paragraph  : 

"  The  first  society  of  New  York  associate  together  in  a  style  of  elegance  and  splendor 
little  inferior  to  Europeans.  Their  houses  are  furnished  with  everything  that  is  useful, 
agreeable,  or  ornamental  ;  and  many  of  them  are  fitted  up  in  the  tasteful  magnificence  of 
modern  luxury.  Many  have  elegant  equipages.  The  dress  of  the  gentlemen  is  plain, 
elegant,  and  fashionable,  and  corresponds  in  every  respect  with  the  English  costume.  The 


82 


HISTORIC    HOMES    AND    LANDMARKS 


THE    LUDLOW-MORTON    HOUSE,   NO.    9   STATE   STREET. 


ladies  in  general  seem  more  partial  to 
the  light,  various,  and  dashing  drapery 
of  the  Parisian  belles,  than  to  the  ele 
gant  and  becoming  attire  of  our  Lon 
don  beauties,  who  improve  upon  the 
French  fashions.  The  winter  is  passed 
in  a  round  of  entertainments  and 
amusements.  The  servants  are  mostly 
negroes  or  mulattoes  ;  some  free,  and 
others  slaves.  Marriages  are  con 
ducted  in  the  most  splendid  style, 
and  form  a  most  important  part  of  the 
winter's  entertainments.  For  three 
days  after  the  marriage  ceremony  the 
newly  married  couple  see  company  in 
great  state.  It  is  a  sort  of  levee. 
Sometimes  the  night  concludes  with  a 
concert  and  ball." 

The  newspapers  in  Novem 
ber,  1796,  chronicle  a  marriage 
and  reception  of  this  character 
at  the  governor's  mansion  as 

follows:  "Married  on  the  3d  at  his  Excellency's,  John  Jay,  Governor, 
Government  House,  John  Livingston,  of  the  Manor  of  Livingston,  to  Mrs. 
Catharine  Ridley,  daughter  of  the  late  Governor  William  Livingston." 
The  bride  was  Mrs.  Jay's  accomplished  and  piquant  sister,  Kitty  Livingston, 
who  in  1787  became  the  wife  of  Matthew  Ridley,  of  Baltimore,  and  after 
brief  wedded  happiness  was  left  a  widow. 

One  of  the  romantic  social  events  of  June,  1797,  was  the  marriage 
of  the  celebrated  Josiah  Quincy  to  Miss  Eliza  Susan  Morton,  in  the 
old  Ludlow-Morton  house,  No.  9  State  Street.  The  father  of  the  bride 
was  John  Morton,  styled  the  "  rebel  banker  "  by  the  British  officers,  on 
account  of  the  large  sums  of  money  he  loaned  the  continental  congress. 
The  brother  of  the  bride  was  General  Jacob  Morton,  a  prominent  public 
character  in  New  York  city  for  nearly  half  a  century,  who  married,  in 
1791,  Catharine,  the  daughter  of  Carey  Ludlow,  and  the  Ludlow  mansion 
henceforward  was  his  home.  The  president  of  Princeton  college,  Rev. 
Dr.  Samuel  Stanhope  Smith,  made  the  journey  to  New  York  to  perform 
the  ceremony,  the  lady  having  been  a  favorite  in  his  family.  The  follow 
ing  day,  the  wedded  pair  started  for  Boston  in  a  coach  drawn  by  four 
horses,  and  were  five  days  in  reaching  their  future  home.  Moses  Rogers, 
of  the  great  firm  of  Woolsey  and  Rogers,  resided  for  many  years 


HISTORIC   HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS  83 

at  No.  7  State  Street.  His  wife  was  the  sister  of  President  Dwight  of 
Yale  college,  who  visited  them  frequently.  At  No.  6,  lived  James  Wat 
son,  the  first  president  of  the  New  England  society  of  New  York,  in 
whose  parlors  that  society  was  founded  in  1805.  These  State  Street  houses 
overflow  with  charming  historic  memories  although  shorn  of  their  balconies 
and  other  beauties;  very  little  remains  of  former  architectural  elegance. 
The  Battery  grounds  in  front  of  them  have  undergone  extraordinary 
changes.  Castle  Garden,  as  it  was  when  Jenny  Lind  immortalized  it  with 


VIEW   OF   THE   STATE   STREET   HOMES    FRONTING   THE    BATTERY,    IN    1859. 

[Front  an  old  print.'} 

her  sweet  voice,  is  expressed  in  the  picture.  The  government  house  was 
turned  into  offices  after  John  Jay  retired  from  it,  and  was  the  home  of 
innumerable  societies  and  institutions  struggling  for  life.  The  New  York 
Historical  Society  occupied  rooms  in  it  from  1809  to  1815,  when  it  was 
taken  down,  and  seven  dwelling-houses  erected  on  its  site.  Stephen 
Whitney  lived  in  one  of  these  for  many  years,  also  Samuel  Ward,  of  the 
firm  of  Prime,  Ward  and  King,  the  brother-in-law  of  Dr.  Francis,  and  the 
active  founder  of  churches,  institutions,  and  charities.  John  Hone,  brother 
of  Mayor  Philip  Hone,  dwelt  in  the  same  row;  and  during  the  period, 
Nathaniel  Prime's  city  residence  was  in  the  Kennedy  house,  No.  I  Broad- 


84 


HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 


way,  while  John  Watts,  son  of  the  counselor,  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Leake  and  Watts  Orphan  Home  in  1831,  and  a  munificent  donor  to 
other  philanthropic  objects,  occupied  the  stately  old  Watts  mansion 
adjoining.  Fashion  pushed  in  a  northerly  direction  for  many  generations 
before  the  residents  near  the  Battery  were  disturbed.  Among  the  mag 
nificent  spectacles  from  their  windows,  nothing  probably,  after  the  Inau 
guration  of  Washington,  ever  exceeded  the  pageant  on  the  occasion  of 
the  canal  celebration  in  1825.  It  was  like  a  bewildering  fairy  scene. 
The  magnificent  and  gorgeously  decorated  fleet  formed  a  circle  about  the 


canal  boat  from  Lake  Erie  of  some  three  miles  in  circumference,  when  De 
Witt  Clinton,  with  great  solemnity,  poured  from  an  elegant  keg  adorned 
with  many  devices  and  inscriptions,  and  gilded  hoops,  the  waters  of  Lake 
Erie  into  the  Atlantic  ocean.  Medals  of  very  beautiful  design  and  work 
manship  were  given  to  all  the  invited  guests  of  the  corporation  on  this 
occasion,  both  ladies  and  gentlemen  ;  and  fifty-one  gold  medals  were 
struck  and  sent  to  the  different  crowned  heads  of  the  world  and  eminent 
men.  These  were  inclosed  in  elegant  square  red  morocco  cases.  The 
silver  medals,  of  which  there  were  several  hundred,  were  inclosed  in  boxes 
made  from  logs  of  cedar  brought  from  an  island  in  Lake  Erie.  The 
"  canal  celebration  ball  "  was  instituted  on  a  grand  scale.  Some  three 
thousand  guests  were  present,  including  Governor  and  Mrs.  Clinton.  One 
of  the  belles  of  the  evening  wrote  at  a  late  hour  :  "  We  met  all  the  world 


"EVACUATION  OF  NEW  YORK." 

COPY  OF  TRUMBULL'S  FAMOUS  PAINTING  IN  THE  CITY  HALL. 
{Engraved  for  the  Magazine  of  American  History  for  November  1883.] 


86  HISTORIC    HOMES   AND    LANDMARKS 

and  his  wife ;  military  heroes,  noble  statesmen,  artificial  and  natural 
characters,  the  audacious,  the  clownish,  the  polished  and  refined,  but  we 
were  squeezed  to  death,  are  sleepy  and  heartily  tired." 

It  is  but  a  few  steps,  seemingly,  from  the  Bowling  Green  to  Trinity 
church,  at  the  head  of  Wall  Street,  which  was  a  pile  of  ruins  at  the  time 
of  the  Inauguration  of  Washington.  It  was  rebuilt  and  consecrated, 
March  25,  1790,  and  a  richly  ornamented  pew  with  a  canopy  over  it  was 
occupied  by  President  Washington  and  his  family  on  that  occasion.  The 
present  Trinity  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1846.  The  church-yard 
which  surrounds  the  structure  is  an  endearing  memorial  of  the  varied  and 
interesting  elements  of  character  which  have  contributed  to  the  present 
greatness  of  New  York  city.  Alongside  the  noisiest  and  busiest  thor 
oughfare  in  America  it  surprises  and  interests  the  stranger,  and  leads  him 
to  pause  beside  its  railings  and  peer  with  inquiring  eyes  into  its  sycamore 
shades,  where  the  distinguished  scions  of  Europe's  nobility  sleep  on  the 
same  level  with  our  own  brave  sons  and  fair  daughters,  and  where  talent, 
wit,  beauty,  worth,  and  patriotism  share  equally  in  the  consecrated  rest. 
The  tomb  of  Alexander  Hamilton  can  be  seen  from  the  sidewalk,  whose 
tragic  fate  crowned  what  his  genius  had  already  achieved — an  immortalized 
name  ;  and  when  the  sublime  scene  of  one  hundred  years  ago  is  commem 
orated  in  Wall  Street  on  the  3Oth  of  April  next,  the  impressive  fact  will 
be  brought  freshly  home  to  the  public  mind  that  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
and  powerful  actors  in  the  events  which  preceded  and  made  Washington's 
Presidency  a  possibility,  sleeps  so  marvelously  near  the  spot  where  the 
political,  commercial,  financial,  social,  and  domestic  roots  of  a  great 
country's  life  were  first  planted,  that  the  inscription  upon  his  monument 
can  almost  be  read  from  the  platform  where  our  distinguished  guests  will 
stand  assembled. 


Pears'  Soap 

HENRY  WARD  BEECHER  writes: 

"If  CLEANLINESS  is  next  to  GODLINESS, 
soap  must  be  considered  as  a  means  of  GRACE,  and 
a  clergyman  who  recommends  MORAL  things  should 
be  willing  to  recommend  soap.  I  am  told  that  my 
commendation  of  PEARS'  Soap  has  opened  for  it  a 
large  sale  in  the  UNITED  STATES.  I  am  willing  to 
stand  by  every  word  in  favor  of  it  I  ever  uttered.  A  man 
must  be  fastidious  indeed  who  is  not  satisfied  with  it." 

Q  r  A  Q  O I    is  tne  best> tne  most  elegant  and  the  most  economical  of  all  soaps  for  general  TOILET  PURPOSES. 

L  A  II  A       Jt  is  n0t  °nly  the  m°st  attractive>  but  the  purest  and  cleanest.    It  is  used  and  recommended 

•  W      by  thousands  of  intelligent  mothers  throughout  the  civilized  world,  because  while  serving 

as  a  detergent  and  cleanser,  its  emollient  properties  prevent  the  chafing  and  discomforts  to  which  infants  are  «>o 

liable.    It  has  been  established  in  London  1OO  years  as  A  COMPLEXION  SOAP,  has  obtained  15  Inter- 

national  Awards,  and  is  now  sold  in  every  city  in  the  world.     It  can  be  had  of  nearly  all  Druggists  in  the  United 

States;  but  be  sure  that  you  get  the  genuine,  as  there  are  worthless  imitations. 


THE  SOCIAL  SEASON.  —  During  the  season  in  London,  Beecham's 
Pills  are  held  in  high  regard.  The  exactions  of  social  life,  the  strain  con 
sequent  upon  late  hours,  late  suppers,  and  the  indulgence  of  rich  and 
highly-seasoned  food,  all  combine  to  leave  the  system  in  a  debilitated 
condition  and  the  stomach  in  a  state  bordering  on  frenzy,  if  we  may  use  the 
expression.  Beecham's  Pills,  however,  taken  regularly,  have  a  soothing 
effect  on  the  stomach  and  the  digestive  organs.  Their  result  is  immediate 
A  few  doses  will  restore  lost  complexion,  bring  back  the  keen  edge  of  appe 
tite,  and  give  health,  strength  and  energy  to  the  whole  human  frame. 


BEECHAM'S  PILLS,  taken  as  directed,  will  quickly  restore  females  to 

complete  health.    For  a 

Weak  Stomach,     Impaired  Digestion,    Disordered  Liver, 

they  ACT  t,IKE  MAGIC:—  a  few  doses  will  work  wonders  upon  the  Vital  Or 
gans;  Strengthening  the  muscular  System;  restoring  long-lost  Complexion  ; 
bringing  back  the  keen  edge  of  arjpetite,  and  arousing  with  the  Rosebud  of 
Health  the  whole  physical  energy  of  thf  numan  frame.  These  are  "  facts  "  admitted 
by  thousands  in  all  classes  of  society;  and  one  of  the  best  guarantees  to  the  Ner 
vous  and  Debilitated  is  that  Beecham's  Pills,  have  the  Largest  Sale  of  any 
Patent  Medicine  in  the  "World.  Full  directions  with  each  Box. 

Prepared  only  by  THOS.  BEECH  AM,  St.  Helens,  Lancashire,  England. 

Sold  by  Druggists  generally.    B.  F.  AIJLEN  &  CO.,  365  and  367  Canal  St.,  New  York,  Sole  Agents  for  the 
btates,  who  (if  your  druggist  does  not  keep  them) 

Will  Mail  BEECHAM'S  PILLS  on  Receipt  of  Price,  25  Cents  a  Box—  but  inquire  first  of  your  Druggist. 


BRIEF  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOSTON  CADETS. 


The  First  Corps  of  Cadets  of  the  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Militia,  the  body 
guard  of  the  Governors  of  Massachusetts,  originated  in  1741,  as  the  Independent 
Company  of  Cadets,  under  Governor  William  Shirley,  at  Boston,  where  it  is  still 
located. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Hancock,  afterward  President  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  first  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  was  commander  of 
the  company  in  1774,  when  General  Gage,  on  the  i6th  of  May,  arrived  at  Boston  to 
assume  the  duties  of  Governor  of  the  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  and,  in 
accordance  with  established  custom,  was  escorted  by  the  Cadets  from  the  wharf  to  the 
Council  Chamber. 

Colonel  Hancock's  political  sentiments,  however,  were  so  incompatible  with 
those  of  the  Governor,  that  Gage,  in  the  following  August,  dismissed  him  from  the 
command  of  the  corps,  whereupon  its  members  returned  the  Governor  a  standard  he 
had  presented,  informing  him  at  the  same  time,  that,  as  they  thought  his  dismissal  of 
their  commander  equivalent  to  a  disbandment,  they  no  longer  considered  themselves 
the  "  Governor's  Company  of  Independent  Cadets." 

In  the  stirring  events  that  followed,  the  company  took  no  part  as  an  organization, 
whatever  its  members  may  have  done  individually;  but  after  the  besieged  British 
troops  evacuated  Boston  in  1776,  many  of  the  members  came  together  again  as  the 
"Independent  Company,"  and  again  chose  Hancock  as  their  colonel,  although  he 
was  at  that  time  in  Philadelphia. 

He  accepted,  and  had  the  full  rank  of  colonel  ;  the  office,  however,  was  appar 
ently  honorary  rather  than  active. 

Why  the  word  "Cadets"  was  dropped  from  the  official  title  does  not  appear, 
but  contemporaneous  newspapers  and  letters,  in  popular  mention,  supply  the  omission. 

Two  years  later,  the  company,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hichborn,  marched  to  Rhode  Island,  and  was  in  service  there  as  a  part  of 
the  Revolutionary  forces;  but,  like  all  the  militia,  of  the  country,  the  Cadets  were 
dormant  at  the  time  of  peace  in  1783. 

After  the  establishment  of  the  State  Government,  the  corps  was  revived  as  the 
"Independent  Company  of  Cadets"  in  the  Summer  of  1786,  and  were  on  service 
in  the  troubles  caused  by  Shays'  Rebellion. 

No  suspension  of  its  active  existence  has  occurred  since  that  year. 

When  President  Washington  visited  Boston  on  the  24th  of  October,  1789,  this 
corps  of  Cadets  had  the  honor  of  escorting  him,  and  has  performed  the  same  office 
for  every  President  of  the  United  States  who  has  visited  Boston,  besides  many  other 
distinguished  personages. 

The  Corps  was  on  duty,  locally,  at  the  time  of -the  war  of  1812. 

During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  it  was  in  the  United  States  service  at  Fort 
Warren  for  six  weeks ;  but  its  chief  aid  to  the  Government  was  in  furnishing  many 
officers  for  the  Union  armies. 


SCRIBNER'S  MAGAZINE. 


The  publishers  aim  to  make  it  the  most  popular 
and  enterprising  of  periodicals,  while  at  all  times 
preserving  its  high  literary  character.  25,000  new 
readers  have  been  drawn  to  it  during  the  past  six 
months  by  the  increased  excellence  of  its  contents 
(notably  the  Railway  articles),  and  it  closes  its 
second  year  with  a  new  impetus  and  an  assured 
success.  The  illustrations  will  show  some  new 
effects,  and  nothing  to  make  SCRIBNER'S  MAGA 
ZINE  attractive  and  interesting  will  be  neglected. 


"  SCRIBNER  has  had  many  novelties  and  surprises  to 
offer  its  reader  in  the  course  of  its  short  and  memorable 
history,  but  the  chief  of  them  perhaps  is  the  admirable 
skill  and  intelligence  with  which  its  high  level  has  not 
only  been  maintained,  but  constantly  advanced." 

—New  York  Times,  Oct.  25,  1888. 


$3.00  a  year;  25  cents  a  number. 


ir  of 


THE  LIFE  AND  WORKS  OF 

GILBERT  STUART. 

By   OEOROE   C.    MASON. 

i  Vol.    4to.    $10.00.    "With  12  Portraits  on  Steel,  on 
Wood  and  by  Photogravure. 


This  life  of  Washington's  great  painter  was 
written  at  the  wish  and  with  the  cooperation  of 
Miss  Jane  Stuart,  the  daughter  of  the  painter.  It 
has  everywhere  been  pronounced  as  the  most  im 
portant  contribution  to  the  literature  of  American  art 
ever  made.  Stuart's  great  portraits  of  Washington 
are  given  reproduction  in  this  book.  The  "  Gibbs 
portrait"  is  given  in  photogravure  and  in  steel; 
the  "Athenaeum  portraits"  of  George  and  Martha 
Washington  are  both  reproduced  in  photogravure, 
and  a  special  chapter  is  devoted  to  a  description 
of  the  artist's  great  portraits  of  Washington. 


CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS,  743-745  Broadway,  N.Y. 


A  glance  at  above  Cut  reveals  in  the  background  a  single  sheet  or  slab  of  wood,  and  in  the  fore  an  air- 
tignt  complete  barrel.  The  sheet  when  folded  is  encircled  by  wooden  hoops,  held  firmlv  in  place  by  copper 
wire  bands.  The  Anchor  Manufacturing  Co.,  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  turns  out  12,OOO  sets  of  staves,  hoops  and 
heads  per  day,  4,000  of  which  are  made  up  in  complete  barrels  at  our  factory. 

T  I  Savi  j    being  adopted  and  highly  endorsed  by  Thurber,  Whyland   &  Co.,   Francis 

i,eggett  <K  Co.,  and  other  large  and  equally  well-known  Grocers,  Flour  Dealers,  Coffee  Merchants.  Spice  and 
Sugar  Dealers,  etc.,  etc.,  evidences  our  right  to  claim  it  the  most  sensible,  economical,  substantial  and 
perfect  barrel  made. 

Order  your  supplies  in  the  One  Stave  Barrel,  or  write  us  for  prices  and  information. 


IVo.  94  Wall  Street, 


F.    BROWN    <Sc    CO., 

NEW  YORK. 


"Grand   Prix,"  Paris  Exposition,  1878. 

CHOCOLAT  MENIER 

LARGEST  CHOCOLATE  FACTORY  IN  THE  WORLD. 
ANNUAL  SALES  OVER  30  MILLION  LBS. 

VANILLA  BRAND  "YELLOW  "WRAPPER." 


SOLD  BY   R.  H.  MACY  <5c   CO.,  NEW  YORK. 


RETTER  NEWS  TO  [ADIES 

and  All  Lovers  of  Fine  Teas 

THE    CHOICEST  EVER    IMPORTED.      NOTHING    LIKE  IT  EVER 
KNOWN    IN    QUALITY,    PRICES,    PREMIUMS    AND    DISCOUNTS. 


A  CHANCE  OF  A  LIFE-TIME.    GET  PREMIUM  No.  27. 

Latest  and  Best  Inducements  offered  in  Premiums  and  Discounts  to  in 
troduce  and  get  orders  for  our  New  Teas  Just  Received,  which  are  Picked 
from  the  Select  Tea  Gardens  of  China  and  Japan,  none  but  the  High 
est  Grade  Leaf  being  used.  All  guaranteed  absolutely  Pure.  Handsome 
New  Premiums  of  Imported  China,  Lamps,  &c.,  given  away  with 
orders  of  $10.00  and  upwards,  or  discounts  made  if  preferred.  Good 
Teas  30,  35  &  4octs.  Excellent  Family  Teas  50  &  6octs.  Very  Best  65 
to  gocts.  per  Ib.  Special— We  will  send  by  mail  a  Trial  Order  of 
3^  Ibs.  of  our  very  Fine  Teas  on  receipt  of  $2.00.  When  ordering  be 
particular  and  state  if  you  want  Formosa  or  Amoy  Oolong,  Mixed,  Young  Hyson,  Gunpowder,  Im 
perial,  Japan, English  Breakfast  or  Sun-Sun  Chop.  No  Humbug.  Remember  we  deal  only  in  Pure 
Goods.  Send  at  once  for  a  Trial  Order  to  the  Old  Reliable  and  enjoy  a  cup  of  Good  Tea.  For 
particulars  address  The  Great  American  Tea  Co.,  31  and  33  Vesey  St.,  New  York,  N.Y.  P.  O.  Box  287. 


ALEX  T.VAN  NEST, 

J. NEWTON  VAN  NESS. 

EDWARD  Q.JEWETT. 


SOLE  SELLING  AGENTS  OF 


PETER  H.  COMERFORD'S  Single,  M,  Trad  anfl  Light  Me  Harm 

Retail  Department  of  A.   R.  VAN    NEST   &   CO. 

TELEPHONE,  MURRAY  54. 


Twenty  Years'  Success.  —  Basis:  Merit  and  Honest  Dealing. 

FINGER  NAILS  BEAUTIFIED  FOR  75  Cts.   By  Fonr  SMllfnl  Lady  Operators. 

DR.   J.  PARKER  PRAY  and  assistant  give  personal  attention  to  all 
diseases  of  the  FEET  and  NAILS. 

THE  BEST  OF  EVERYTHING  AT  MODERATE  CHARGES. 


DR.  J.  PARKER  PRAY, 

Manufacturer  of  the  Most  Celebrated  and  Only  Reliable 


UNEQUALED  FOR  BEAUTIFYING  THE  SKIN,  LIPS  AND  FINGER  NAILS. 


CO 


0 


0 


0 


Q 


Q 


CraVanOla 

for  whitening  the 
hands.  Cures 
rough  or  chapped 
skin,  sunburn, 
skin  diseases,  etc. 
Two  sizes,  25  and 
50  cents  per  box. 

ONGOLINE 

for  bleaching  and 
cleaning  under 
the  nails.  Re 
moves  ink,  ho 
siery  and  glove 
stains  from  the 
skin.  Bottle,  50c. 

PLIXINE. 

A  harmless  appli 
cation  for  remov 
ing  superfluous 
hair  in  five  min 
utes.  Bottle,  $1.00 

OLIVINE 
OINTMENT. 

A  dressing  for  all 
inflammations  of 
the  skin  and  feet. 
Box,  50  cts. 


Diamond   Hail  gnamel. 

The  quickest,  most  brilliant  and  lasting  nail  polish;  fine 
and  free  from  grit,  color  beautiful;  does  not  stain ;  fragrant 
perfume ;  washing  does  not  affect  the  polish. 

Large  Square  Box,  above  style, 5O  cents. 

The  old  original  diamond  box  of  1878,  .    .  25       " 


Rosaline. 

An  invaluable 
beaut  ifier  of  the 
skin,  for  tinting 
the  lips,  cheeks 
and  nails  a  rosy 
hue,  true  to  nat 
ure.  No  prepara 
tion  like  this  in 
color,  compound 
and  high  medici 
nal  virtues.  Two 
sizes,  25  and  50c. 
per  box. 

PocMEmery  Board. 

My  patent  design, 
rounded  ends, 
used  for  shaping 
and  finishing  the 
nails.  Box,  now 
contains  10  pieces, 
25c. 

Manicnre  Cases. 

Popular  styles  of 
plushes  and  leath 
er,  with  fittings 
complete,  of  best 
quality.  $8  to  $12 
each.  Best  and 
lowest  price. 


+2 © 


J) Q       Q 


111 


0      ®      O 


Office  and  Salesroom,  38  W.  23d  St.,  New  York,  U.  S.  A. 

<®$* ESTABLISHED  1868. ^®> 


WEBSTER  &  WHITE, 

gtoling  j&lvep,  ^ilver  flate,  Gutoij 


-AND- 


J 


NEW  YORK  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE 

MERIDEN  SILVER  PLATE  CO.  QUADRUPLE  PLATED  WARE 

— AND — 

TOWLE   MANUFACTURING  CO.  STERLING  SILVER. 


No.  30  East  14th  Street  (Union  Square,)    -    NEW  YORK 

EDWARD  A.  MORRISON, 


CARRIAGE   ENTRANCE, 

13  East  Nineteenth  Street. 


No.   893    Broadway. 


EXCLUSIVE   STYLES  IN 

CMlta's  Coats,  Dressesanfl  Costumes, 


INFANTS'  WEAR  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION. 

i,  Qradles 


BABY 


and 


RICH    NOVELTIES    IN 

Trimmingg  and  Butfeong, 


ENGLISH  AND  FRENCH 


BONNETS 


and   Round 
gats. 


DRESS  AND  BREAKFAST  CAPS  A  SPECIALTY. 


traces,  Embroideries  and 


BRENTANO'S, 

Publishers,  Booksellers,  Stationers  and  Newsdealers, 

NEW  YORK— 5  Union  Square, 

WASHINGTON,  D.  €.—1015  Pennsylvania  Ave.,  PARIS— 17  Ave.  de  1'Opera, 

CHICAGO— 101  State  Street,  LONDON— 430  Strand. 

BRENTANO'S,  ~~ 

Beg  to  announce  the  opening  of  their  establishment  in 

LONDON:  43O  Strand, 

and  direct  attention  to  their  well-established 

PARIS  HOUSE:   No.  17  Ave.  de  I'Opera. 

It  is  their  intention  to  make  these  branches  the  headquarters  of  Americans  in 
Europe,  by  offering  them  all  possible  facilities  for  keeping  fully  informed  of  the 
doings  of  American  authors  and  publishers.  They  propose  also  to  offer  to  the  Eng 
lish  and  Continental  reading  public  an  opportunity  to  acquaint  itself  perfectly  with 
current  American  literature.  The  latest  issues  of  all  the  leading  American  dailies, 
weeklies  and  monthlies,  will  be  constantly  kept  in  stock,  as  will  be  complete  lines  of 
Continental  literature. 

A  complete  stock  of  books  in  all  departments  of  literature,  and  embracing  the 
classic,  standard  and  modern  authors,  together  with  a  representative  stock  of  French, 
German,  Spanish  and  Italian  literature,  will  be  found  in  our  respective  establishments. 
Inquiries  cheerfully  and  promptly  answered. 

GRAMMARS,  DICTIONARIES,  Our  list  of  works  used  for  the  acquirement  and  study  of  French,  German, 

READERS    ETC  Spanish,  or  any  of  the  foreign  languages,  is  the  most  complete  in  the  United 

States.     Prices  very  moderate.     Send  for  our  catalogue  of  this  stock.     We 

cheerfully  answer  any  inquiries  from  people  who  seek  suggestions  or  advice  as  to  the  best  book  to  use  in 
particular  studies. 

OUR  SUBSCRIPTION  This  is  a  leading  department  of  our  business.     Periodicals  devoted  to  the 

DEPARTMENT  Sciences,  Arts,  Fashions,  Literature,  or  in  any  department  of  human  thought 

can  be  selected  from  our  immense  and  varied  list  of  newspapers  and  period 
ical  literature.  All  papers  and  magazines,  wherever  published,  can  be  subscribed  to  through  us,  and  sent 
to  any  address  at  the  same  price  as  at  the  office  of  publication.  We  are  special  agents  for  American  and 
Foreign  Publications. 


BOOK  CHAT. 

is  simply  of  incalculable  value  to  any  one  who,  by  reason  of  his  or  her  profession,  or  for  other  causes,  may  require  an 
instantaneous  reference  to  any  topic  treated  upon  in  the  publications  issuing  from  day  to  day.  The  ability  to  keep  posted 
on  what  is  appearing  on  any  special  subject,  whether  in  the  form  of  books,  or  as  an  article  in  magazine  or  periodical  liter 
ature,  is  given  to  any  one  who  will  subscribe  to  BOOK  CHAT.  It  gives  a  synopsis  of  all  books  ;  an  index  to  all  peri 
odical  literature,  properly  classified  under  subjects  ;  and,  in  addition,  a  complete  survey  of  new  books  in  all  departments 
of  literature. 

1O  CENTS  PER  COPY.        Sl.OO  PER  YEAR. 

BRENTANO'S, 

Publishers,  Booksellers,  Stationers  and  Newsdealers, 

NEW  YORK— 5  Union  Square, 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.— 1615  Pennsylvania  Ave.,  PARIS— 17  Ave.  de  I'Opera, 

CHICAGO— 101  State  Street,  LONDON— 430  Strand. 


*    N.Y- 

Call  attention  to  the  display  of 
EXCLUSIVE    NOVELTIES 

IN 

Ladies',  Misses'  and  Children's 

DRESSES,  COSTUMES,  JACKETS,  WRAPS, 

LONG  CLOTH  GARMENTS,  ETC., 

ALSO, 

SPECIAL    OFFERINGS 

IN 

Black  and  Colored  Silks,  China  Silks,  Dress  Goods,  French 
Sateens  and  Challies,  French  Lingerie,  Silk  House- 
waists,  Parasols,  Laces,  Etc. 

All  at  prices  guaranteed  to  be  lower  than  those  of 
any  other  house. 


Publishers  of  Koch  &  Co.'s  semi-annual  ^fashion  (Catalogue,  the  most  com 
plete  guide  on  What  to  Wear  and  Hoiv  to  Order  It;  indispensable  to  parties 
prevented  by  distance  from  doing  their  own  shopping  in  New  York.  Will  be  mailed 
on  receipt  of  Six  Cents  for  postage. 

Sixth  Avenue  and  Twentieth  Street, 


J.   D.   LYNCH, 


DRESDEN,  BISQUE  AND  SEVRES  WARE. 


No.  1123  BROADWAY, 


NEW  YORK. 


All   goods   purchased  from  us   may  be  returned,  less  5   per  cent., 
within   thirty  days,   should  buyer  so   desire. 


IKZOIEHIIEr'S  <S>  A.IR,T  »  IR/OQIMIS.^ 

c.  GRIST  DGcwenice" 

SUCCESSOR, 

No.  166  FIFTH  AVBNUB,  NBW  YO&K, 

Between  22d  and  23d  Street 


BY 


—  Qrriirierit 


OlsT     rEXIEHIBITIOItr     -A.I5TZ5     F  O  IR, 


ARE  YOU  GOING  TO  THE  PARIS  EXPOSITION  ? 


No.  2  Wall  St.,    New  York, 


..188 


She 


Pay  to ~ or  Order. 

Sells  cheques  in  book  form  for  special  use  of  TRAVELLERS,  CHEAPER 
THAN  LETTERS  OF  CREDIT,  and  much  mora  convenient.  Payable  at 
TO  Banking  Houses  in  PABIS,  and  every  town  in  Europe,  WITHOUT 

CHARGE.        T?.f.rA,     e .  WILLIAMS,  DEACOK  &  Co.,  Bankers, )  T  --J-- 
References :  UmoN  BANK  op  ScoTLAND>  }  London. 

Bankers:  BANK  OF  ENGLAND. 


THE 

CHEQUE  BANK, 

Limittd. 

Capital,    -    •    •    £100,000, 
Guarantee  Fund,      £27,000. 

THU8TEB8-. 

Rt.  Hon.  JOHN  BRIGHT,  M  P.. 

Rt.  Hon.  EARL  BEAUCHAMP. 

JOHN  EDWARD  TAYLOR,  F.sq 

Proper  Mancfusttr  Guard/a*. 


apiul 

and  Guarantee  Fund  is  invested  in 
British  Government  Securities.  Th« 
Bank  does  not  discount  notes  nor 
•peculate. 

No  Cheques  are  issued  until  cash  is  paid.  The  cash  received  is  either  deposited  in  the 
Hank  of  England,  or  invested  in  British  Government  Securities,  for  the  payment  of  Cheques, 
no  matter  how  long  they  remain  in  circulation. 

Cheque  Bank  Cheques  are  much  cheaper  than  Letters  of  Credit,  and  can  be 
cashed  in  every  town,  and  at  upward  of  2,OOO  Banking  Houses  in  Europe 
without  charge,  and  by  upwards  of  250  of  the  Principal  Hotels  in  Europe.  ^ 

LIST  OF  AGENTS  AND  HOTELS  WILL  BE  SENT  ON  APPLICATION. 

E.  J.  MATHEWS  &  CO.,  Banker*  and  Agents,  Cheque  Bank,  2  Wall  St.,  New  York. 

C  JOHN  W.  MACKAY,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Mackay-Bennett  Cable  Co. 

\  F.  O.  FRENCH,  Esq.,  President  Manhattan  Trust  Co. 
.  J  W.  L.  ELKINS,  Esq.,  Director  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railway. 
.]s   A  CALD  WELL,  Esq.,  President  Fidelity  Insurance,  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Co.,  Phtla 

V.  THOMAS  COCHRAN,  Eiq.,  Prest.  Guarantee  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Co.,  PhUa.,  and  otaei». 


OP  THE  JA8.  3.   BOOOKRS  PRINTING  CO.t  54  N.  SIXTH  ST.,  PHILADELPHIA. 


* 


R.  H.  MACY  &  CO., 

Sixth  Avenue,  I3th  to  I4th  Street, 

NEW  YORK.        I 


VV€a  sell  exclusively  for  cash  in  evert/  instance,  all  other  bouses 
base  tbeir  prices  on  tbe  losses  inseparable  from  a  credit  ex/stem, 
and  cash  buyers  are  tbe  losers  to  tbe  extent  of  tbe  premium  they 
have  to  pay  to  cover  these  losses. 


Black  and  Colored  SILKS,  SATINS,  PLUSHES  and  DRESS  GOODS. 
Ladies'  and  Misses'  Trimmed  and  Untrimmed  HATS  and  BONNETS. 
RIBBONS,  ARTIFICIAL  FLOWERS  and  FEATHERS. 
LINEN  GOODS  and  CURTAINS  of  every  kind. 

Ladles'  and  Children's  MUSLIN  UNDERWEAR. 

AH  manufactured  on  the  premises;  best  material  and  con 
scientious  workmanship  guaranteed. 

LADIES'  CLOAKS,  WRAPS  and  HOUSE  JACKETS. 
MEN'S  FURNISHING  GOODS  AND  NECKWEAR, 
BOOKS  AND  STATIONERY. 

TIN,  WOODENWARE,  CROCKERY,  CHINA,  and 

GLASSWARE,  CUTLERY  and  HOUSEFURNISHING 

GOODS  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION. 
Ladies',  Misses',  and  Children's    SHOES. 
Boys'  and  Youths'  CLOTHING. 

FISHING  TACKLE,  at  fully  one-third  leas  than  usually  charged. 
TOYS  and  DOLLS.       TRUNKS  and  SATCHELS. 

MENIER'S  CHOCOLATE, 

The  celebrated  Parisian  Manufacturer,  38c.  per  ib. 


.    H.    MACY    <Sc    CO. 


Pamphlet 
Binder 

Gaylord  Bros.,  Inc. 

Makers 
Stockton,  Calif 

PAT.  JAN.  21,  1908 


M107499 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 

Return  to  desk  from  which  borrowed. 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


REC'D  LU 

NOV  20  1957 


